Paris Saint Germain vs Manchester City - Laurent Blanc: City behind PSG in European terms

Posted Wednesday, April 06, 2016 by PA

Laurent Blanc believes Paris St Germain are more advanced than Manchester City in Champions League terms - but has rubbished suggestions his side's quarter-final is straightforward.

PSG are appearing in the last eight of the competition for the fourth successive year as they prepare to host quarter-final first timers City at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.

The two clubs have drawn many comparisons having been funded lavishly by Middle Eastern investors in recent years.

But while French champions PSG have been accused of having things easy in a relatively weak Ligue 1, Blanc believes the extra intensity of the Barclays Premier League may have held City back.

Blanc said: "Manchester City had the same project a bit before Paris St Germain. They managed to win their domestic league, which is not an easy task and some other titles, but maybe in Europe maybe they're a bit behind us.

"Maybe this shows what Paris St Germain have achieved is not as easy as it looks.

"But I'm a bit bored of these questions. Even the French media are asking is Ligue 1 as strong in terms of intensity.

"Maybe there's a case but it's not all about intensity. Maybe England is more competitive but I don't see many English teams in the semi-finals of the European competitions over the last five or six years.

"Maybe they have reached a further level in terms of fatigue. You need to find a right balance. There are problems in every domestic league."

Blanc confirmed Angel di Maria is fit to face City this week having been rested at the weekend as a precaution over a knock sustained on recent international duty.

Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala claims Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not scare him as he prepares to face up to the formidable Paris St Germain frontman.

Pressure will be on Mangala who has endured a troubled season.

With captain Vincent Kompany still out injured, France centre-back Mangala and partner Nicolas Otamendi will need to deal with the threat of the prolific Ibrahimovic.

But Mangala said: "I respect PSG, I respect Zlatan, (Edinson) Cavani and (Angel) Di Maria, but I am not scared of them.

"Everyone knows Zlatan and the magnificent career and season he has had. Even though he is 34 he is in top condition at the moment.

"He has been criticised a lot because he has not been decisive in the Champions League in the past, but he has been in the last few games. He is reaching the peak of his career now.

"But we are not just focusing on him."

City are boosted by the return of goalkeeper Joe Hart, who has made a quicker than expected recovery from the calf injury suffered in the derby loss to Manchester United on March 20.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini said: "Joe has worked without any problems in the last days.

"Of course you always have a risk, especially when you are coming back from an injury, but we made all the medical tests with Joe and he doesn't have any problems to play."

The England goalkeeper recently withdrew from international duty and then missed Saturday's victory over Bournemouth.

Fabian Delph (Achilles) has travelled to France and could be in contention but fellow midfielder Yaya Toure (knee) and captain Vincent Kompany (calf) are still out. Raheem Sterling (groin) is out for a lengthy spell while playmaker Samir Nasri is ineligible.