Man City v PSG: Haaland starts as holders visit in Champions League
Manchester City host Paris Saint-Germain at the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday 14 October 2026 in a Matchday 2 tie that pits the English club against the current holders.
It is part of the UEFA Champions League league phase, the opening stage where each club plays eight different opponents to earn a place in the knockouts. UEFA lists this as one of those league-phase fixtures.
Kick-off is 21:00. The referee is Sven Jablonski of Germany, according to live match reporting.
City named Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal. The starting eleven is Donnarumma, Abdukodir Khusanov, Dias, Guehi, Josko Gvardiol, Anderson, Fernandez, Semenyo, Cherki, Jeremy Doku and Haaland. The Guardian
Three players come into that side. Doku, Khusanov and Gvardiol replace Iliman Ndiaye, Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly.
That gives City fresh legs wide and at the back. Doku brings direct running on the wing, a winger who likes to take defenders on. Haaland leads the line through the middle.
PSG named Safonov in goal. Their starting eleven is Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Ruiz, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Doue, Dembele and Akliouche.
It is a strong, balanced side. Hakimi and Nuno Mendes push forward from full-back, the defenders stationed wide. Vitinha, Ruiz and Zaire-Emery form the central midfield three.
What makes this stand out is the depth PSG kept in reserve. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named on the bench, alongside Ferran Torres as a substitute option.
For fans, this means late danger. Both are forwards who can change a tight European night with one run or one finish.
City described PSG as the current holders ahead of the meeting. Manchester City The French champions visit Manchester as part of a busy autumn run that also includes AEK Athens, Napoli and Sporting CP for City.
The wider league-phase list shows the scale of the task. City's eight opponents also include Barcelona, Porto, Leipzig and Lens. Manchester City
It is a heavyweight tie. Early points matter, and neither side will want to chase the table later.
