Fourteen Manchester City players were absent from training as Pep Guardiola employed an uncommon strategy in preparation for the PSG match.
Fourteen Manchester City players were absent from the open portion of training on Tuesday ahead of their crucial Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.
City currently sit 22nd in the group stage standings with just two matches remaining, having collected only eight points from their first six games. The trip to Paris on Wednesday is now a must-win, as City need maximum points against both PSG and Club Brugge next week to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive. Failure to secure six points—or unfavorable results elsewhere—could force City into a two-legged playoff next month, further complicating their already packed 2025 schedule.
Despite several injuries among key players, even fit squad members were absent from training, with Pep Guardiola opting for a surprising approach. All available defenders and midfielders capable of covering defensive roles skipped the initial session. New signings Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis participated, but neither is eligible for the group stage matches.
Guardiola’s team will travel to Paris on Tuesday afternoon, with a press conference scheduled at the Parc des Princes later that day. Updates on defensive options are anticipated, as John Stones and Nathan Ake were unavailable for Sunday’s 6-0 victory over Ipswich due to injuries. Manuel Akanji, who left the pitch early during the same match, was presumably rested for the PSG clash. Meanwhile, Matheus Nunes has been deputizing at right-back amid uncertainty over Kyle Walker’s future, with the defender reportedly in discussions over a potential move to AC Milan.
Walker was among the 14 senior players missing from training, alongside Akanji, Ake, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Rodri, Jeremy Doku, Rico Lewis, and youngsters Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee. Additionally, academy players Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Max Alleyne, and Josh Wilson-Esbrand were absent.
The training squad for the PSG match included: Ederson, Ortega, Carson; Khusanov, Reis; Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Wright, Foden, Grealish, Savinho, Bobb; Haaland, and
Mubamba.
