Paris Saint-Germain arrive in Manchester carrying the weight of two straight European crowns, and Enzo Maresca believes his Manchester City side will need almost everything to go right to stop them on Wednesday night.
City host PSG at 21:00 in the second round of the Champions League league phase, with Luis Enrique’s side again placed at the centre of the European game after winning the competition in each of the past two seasons.
Maresca sets the standard for City
Maresca described PSG as Europe’s current benchmark and said City must produce a near-flawless performance if they are to take the points.
“The message is straightforward: we need a perfect game because they are the best team in Europe at this moment,” the Italian said. “Winning the last two Champions Leagues tells you how strong they are. But if we give everything, we can beat them and finish the night happy.”
Asked whether his own team could be measured against the Parisian champions, the former Chelsea coach declined to draw a direct comparison. He underlined PSG’s recent record, while insisting City remain a side of considerable quality.
“I honestly do not know whether we are close to them or far away,” Maresca said. “What I do know is that they have won the past two Champions Leagues. We are certainly a good team as well.”
Cherki expected to command attention
Rayan Cherki is likely to be one of the principal figures in the contest after another impressive display in Sunday’s 3-0 victory away to Liverpool. The French attacker scored a spectacular goal at Anfield, adding to the sense that he is becoming increasingly influential for City.
Cherki had once come close to joining PSG, making Wednesday’s meeting particularly notable for the player. Maresca initially joked in French that Cherki would not feature, before offering a serious assessment of his form.
“He is a very good person and a very good player,” Maresca said. “He is excellent on the ball, and right now he is also doing very well without it. His work has been excellent.”
