PSG go to the Manchester City vs Paris Saint Germain talking like they have already moved past the weekend. They beat Le Mans on Saturday night, Maghnes Akliouche said the squad is now focused on the Champions League trip, and Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes are back in training before Wednesday's meeting at the Etihad.
PSG's mood before the Etihad
Akliouche told Foot Mercato, in comments translated from French: "We had to win before City. Now, we are focused on this Champions League match."
He added that PSG are confident and expecting a busy run of games, while Lucas Digne pushed back against the idea that City's off-field charges will shape what happens on the pitch. Digne said: "If the charges against City are going to influence the match? No, I don't think so."
PSG's start in Europe gives that confidence some backing. They opened their Champions League campaign with a 6-1 win over Slovan Bratislava, and Manchester City have also won their first European match. City arrive with 6 wins in 6 Premier League games and 16 league goals, so this is a real benchmark for PSG rather than a routine league-night trip.
Returnees and the run ahead
The timing suits PSG. Dembélé returned to Campus PSG in Poissy on Saturday and Mendes joined his teammates on Sunday, with Senny Mayulu the only absentee after a muscle injury on international duty with France's youth teams.
That matters because PSG need their strongest options in a run that is already taking shape. Dembélé has made 1 Champions League appearance for PSG this season and Mendes has made 1 as well, while PSG sit 6th in Ligue 1 after 6 matches. Luis Enrique has a side that is talking confidently, but the Etihad will still ask a harder question than Le Mans or Slovan Bratislava.
PSG's immediate European test comes on 14 October, and Barcelona will then come to the Parc des Princes.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
