14 Man City players miss training as Pep Guardiola uses rare tactic ahead of PSG clash
Manchester City warmed up for their mouth-watering Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain by thrashing Ipswich 6-0 on Sunday, but Pep Guardiola is dealing with a number of absences
by Nathan Ridley · The MirrorA total of 14 Manchester City players missed the open section of training on Tuesday ahead of their huge Champions League fixture away to Paris Saint-Germain.
City are down in 22nd place with just two more games left to play in the initial league phase, having only been able to muster eight points from their first six outings. Wednesday's trip to Paris has become a must win, as they need maximum points against both PSG and Club Brugge next week to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout phase.
Should they fail to get six points - or results don't go their way - City will be forced into being involved in a two-legged play-off next month, adding to their packed schedule in 2025. The Premier League champions already have a number of key players out injured, but even those who are believed to be fit weren't seen by media and journalists at training on Tuesday.
That's because Pep Guardiola appeared to throw a major curve ball, with every eligible defender - and any midfielder who's previously filled in at the back - missing from the first part of training. City's two new signings, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, were involved but both centre-backs aren't eligible to play in the league phase.
Guardiola's squad will fly to the French capital on Tuesday afternoon and he'll hold a press conference at the Parc des Princes later on. The City boss is expected to provide updates on his defensive options, with John Stones and Nathan Ake both missing Sunday's 6-0 rout against Ipswich through injury.
Manuel Akanji came off at Portman Road, likely with PSG in mind, while midfielder Matheus Nunes has been playing at right-back amid Kyle Walker's desire to leave the club before transfer deadline day. Walker, who remains in talks to join AC Milan, was part of the defensive group who were missing from training.
Will Manchester City beat Paris Saint-Germain? Give us your score prediction in the comments section.
Youngsters Nico O'Reilly and James McAtee also missed out alongside winger Jeremy Doku and long-term absentee Rodri. That meant the 14 senior players missing were Walker, Akanji, Ake, Nunes, O'Reilly, McAtee, Doku, Rodri, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Rico Lewis.
Academy defenders Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Max Alleyne and Josh Wilson-Esbrand also weren't present.
Man City's initial training squad vs PSG: Ederson, Ortega, Carson; Khusanov, Reis; Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Wright, Foden, Grealish, Savinho, Bobb; Haaland, Mubamba
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package
£35 (was £43)
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.