Paris (AFP)

Easy in the field of the championship, Paris SG is attacking its first big ascent of the season with a shock against its rival Manchester City, Tuesday (9 p.m.) for the second day of the Champions League, revenge for the semi-final lost last spring. .

Beyond the questions of prestige against a team that it has never beaten and which recently eliminated it in the semi-finals (2-1, 2-0), PSG needs points to not let slip the "Citizens", large winners of RB Leipzig at the opening of group A (6-3).

The famous trio Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé is particularly expected for this meeting, the first peak of the season after eight victories in eight days of the championship.

Especially after a disappointing European first for the "MNM", and for PSG, in Bruges (1-1).

"The real test is Manchester City, we did not recruit Messi to play against Clermont," laughs the former Parisian captain Eric Rabesandratana.

The Argentine genius, who missed the last two Ligue 1 matches for a blow to the left knee, is well recovered to find Pep Guardiola, and "should play", announced Mauricio Pochettino, who will therefore have his set of aces for face the Catalan coach.

Presentation of the match day 2 of the 2021-2022 Champions League group stage PSG-Manchester City Vincent LEFAI AFP

Within the MNM, "Ney" is gaining strength, he remains on a goal from a penalty caused and two brilliant assists in his last three matches.

- "Need to play together" -

"He is not yet at the top of his form, but he is returning to a very high level, in stages," notes Claude Le Roy, former sports director of PSG.

At the moment, Neymar "is exemplary", adds the globetrotter coach.

"He makes a lot of defensive efforts, which we didn't see a lot before."

Mbappé has a less good shot, perhaps linked to his problem with one foot in Bruges, after being very effective at the very start of the season.

He has not found the net for three matches, but the prodigy never goes very long without scoring ...

The cracks of PSG Neymar and Kylian Mbappé evolved without coordination against Montpellier in the league at the Parc des Princes, September 25, 2021 FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

And then he has a little personal revenge to take after missing the semi-final return leg last May through injury.

In short, the trio present themselves in disparate states of form on their first big test.

The "MNM" has only 125 minutes of common life, 50 in Bruges then 75 against Lyon (2-1), but "Rabé", consultant for France Bleu, is "not really worried about this trio".

"It's not possible that they are ready right away. It's surprising to see the criticism, the impatience, I can understand it, but the reality is that they need to play together", judge the former defender.

- The farandole of City -

"I'm never worried when you add up talents", replies Le Roy, "they have to develop habits, learn the spaces that others like to take".

In addition, the "MNM" mobilizes the attention of the defenses.

"They are often caught in a pincer of two or even three", notes Le Roy, "but this is also why an Achraf Hakimi takes the opportunity to score two goals (against Metz, Editor's note), the very good complementary players put nose to the window ".

Idrissa Gueye celebrates her goal against Montpellier during PSG 2-0 success at Parc des Princes, September 25, 2021 FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

Midfielders Idrissa Gana Gueye (3 goals) and Ander Herrera (4 goals) also seized these opportunities.

But City also has talent, with its host of offensive players: Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva on Saturday against Chelsea, followed by Riyad Marhez and Raheem Sterling!

The whole articulated around a pressing which stifled the "Blues", European champions in title (1-0).

The "MNM" will therefore have to contribute to the defense.

"What worries me is more behind: will we be able to compensate?" Asks Rabesandratana.

Brazilian Gabriel Jesus has just scored the goal of Manchester City's victory on Chelsea pitch in the Premier League on September 25, 2021 Ben STANSALL AFP / Archives

The trio must "make an effort", argues Le Roy, "but not insane, a few yards to go very quickly at the start, to prevent the opponents from doing tens of yards later in the action".

"We will have to get out of their pressing," warns Herrera, who also ensures that "this is not the first big test" at PSG, "every match, every day, every training is a test".

But it's not every day against a European vice-champion ...

© 2021 AFP