sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Pep Guardiola throws major curveball ahead of PSG clash as shock decision made with 14 Man City players
Home>Football>Football News>Man City
Published 17:11 21 Jan 2025 GMT

Pep Guardiola throws major curveball ahead of PSG clash as shock decision made with 14 Man City players

A shock move from the Manchester City manager ahead of his side's vital PSG clash.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a surprise decision ahead of his side's Champions League clash against PSG at Parc des Princes.

Guardiola's side enter their seventh Champions League fixture of the season knowing that a defeat could drop them out of the qualification places for the play-off round.

They have lost two of their last three matches in the competition, with the most recent of those being a 2-0 defeat at Juventus back in December.

But City have to begun to turn around a run of form that saw them win just two of 14 matches either side of the new year, and have now won four of their last 15 matches in all competitions.

Advert

Defensive frailties were still on display, though, in their 2-2 draw with Brentford last Tuesday, which saw Guardiola's side fail to hold on to a two-goal lead in the second half.

Now, the Spaniard has sprung a major surprise with his pre-match preparations ahead of the PSG clash, which takes place on Wednesday.

According to the Daily Mirror, Guardiola didn't use a single eligible defender during the first part of the team's final training session before travelling to France.

That included any player who has filled in as part of the back four, such as midfielder Matheus Nunes.

New signing Abdukodir Khusanov was in Man City training (Image: Getty)
New signing Abdukodir Khusanov was in Man City training (Image: Getty)

Guardiola is clearly keeping his cards close to his chest in terms of his team selection in Paris, with new centre-backs Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis the only players available. Neither player is eligible to be registered for the group stage of the competition.

Notably, the absentees included Kyle Walker, who has been linked with a move to AC Milan after telling Guardiola that he wanted to leave City.

Speaking about Walker's situation earlier this month, the Spaniard commented: "In his mind, he would like to explore it, to go to another country to play the last years, for many reasons.

"For that reason, I prefer playing other players whose mind is here."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Recommended reads

'I wanted to give back to the sport that gave me everything' - Ashley Cole is finding himself in first manager jobGettyAn interview with Ben Stokes: 'English cricket doesn't lack talent... there are quite a few names'Getty ImagesMichael Bisping suggests radical eye poke rule change ahead of Tom Aspinall comebackGetty ImagesAndrea Pirlo interview: 'Football has changed and unfortunately we've been left behind' Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Lionel Messi team-mate brutally ruled out of World Cup as Premier League star lined up as replacement

    Argentina will look to immediately replace the devastated star.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Man Utd among frontrunners for £100m star in fierce three-club Premier League transfer shootout

    United have already agreed to sign Ederson from Atalanta in a £35million deal.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Arsenal 'make approach' for PSG star as battle with Barcelona begins

    The Gunners are working on their summer transfer plans with a view to retaining the Premier League title

    Football
  • Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Iran issue furious statement against US days before World Cup opener

    The Middle Eastern nation will face Egypt, New Zealand and Belgium in Group G.

    Football
  • PSG players will receive never-before-seen bonus after winning Champions League
  • First Man City player 'decides to leave' after Pep Guardiola exit
  • 'You didn't ask?' - Pep Guardiola learned one manager refused involvement in special montage video
  • Joe Hart responds after Pep Guardiola mentioned him when speaking about his biggest regret at Man City