Man City vs PSG best XI: Desire Doue and Joao Neves miss out as Erling Haaland leads the line

Manchester City, mired in one of football's biggest controversies, get set to face another big-spending rival as Paris Saint-Germain visit England for matchday two of the Champions League league phase.

Over the past week, the Cityzens found themselves under intense scrutiny for breaching 100+ financial fair play rules set by the Premier League. Yet, they responded on the pitch with a commanding 3-0 win over Liverpool.

Their opening Champions League fixture saw them travel to FC Porto, where they secured a 2-0 win last month.

Meanwhile, PSG endured a shaky start to the season despite lifting the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa. A run of four games without a win followed, before they demolished Slovan Bratislava 6-1 in their Champions League opener.

That result sparked a surge in confidence. The Parisians are now on a four-match winning streak, though they have managed just one clean sheet in that stretch.

Both sides are in excellent form, and this combined starting XI takes into account their early-season performances and statistical output. Six Manchester City players feature, alongside five from PSG.

Here, FootballWhispers takes a closer look at the combined best XI from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain this season.

Man City vs PSG best XI

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)

An imposing titan whose sheer physical presence alters the geometry of the pitch, Gianluigi Donnarumma is perhaps one of City’s most important signings in recent times.

Donnarumma has started all eight matches for the Cityzens this term, keeping four clean sheets in the process – most recently in a 3-0 win over Liverpool. The Italian will be itching to face his former side, with whom he won the treble in 2025. Luis Enrique, his former coach, called him ‘amongst the best in the world’ in his recent interview to Sky Sports.

RB: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint Germain)

Hakimi makes this list ahead of City right-back Matheus Nunes mainly due to what he means to Luis Enrique and the team. The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid defender is arguably one of the best in his position, without a shadow of doubt.

He has made eight appearances for PSG this season, missing out on one match – against Olympique de Marseille – due to a thigh injury. He returned to action over the weekend, confidently captaining PSG to a 3-1 victory over newcomers Le Mans.

CB: Lucas Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain)

Few players come as versatile as Lucas Beraldo, who has excelled with his performances in multiple positions for PSG. The 22-year-old Brazilian can play in defence or midfield, allowing Luis Enrique to rely on him regularly.

With a 90% pass completion rate and high work rate, Beraldo has evolved significantly this season. Although he has been deployed as a defensive midfielder rather than a traditional centre-back, his presence in the heart of defence only strengthens this combined starting XI.

CB: Marc Guehi (Manchester City)

Apart from two matches, Marc Guehi has been a mainstay in the Cityzens backline in the opening few games of the season. The 26-year-old stopper has been absolutely instrumental in helping City establish domestic dominance this early – even scoring a goal and assisting one.

With eight appearances so far, Guehi has played 666 minutes under Enzo Maresca, who has exceptionally utilised the youngster to his team’s strengths. Alongside Ruben Dias, City have found themselves a gem in Guehi for a stable central partnership.

LB: Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)

If there is one City player who has visibly shown signs of improvements, especially in terms of attacking output, it is Gvardiol. The Croatian left-back has featured in all six Premier League matches so far, assisting three and scoring one.

Functioning as an asymmetric modern fullback under Maresca, Gvardiol routinely inverts into midfield to act as an auxiliary playmaker during sustained possession. His exceptional ball progression skills and strong frame makes him the ideal wingback in this list ahead of Nuno Mendes, who has lacked regular game time.

RM: Enzo Fernandez (Manchester City)

Enzo Fernandez’s City move from Chelsea was first met with scepticism, but the River Plate youth product has produced the goods regularly for Maresca in midfield. He has appeared six times this season, netting his debut club goal recently against Sunderland.

In City’s UCL opener against Porto, he provided a crucial assist for Erling Haaland’s opener. Fernandez has proved vital for City to execute their fast-paced gameplan. His elite vision and grit on and off the ball allows Maresca to depend on him seamlessly.

CM: Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)

Arguably one of this generation’s standout central midfielders, Vitinha is a player any manager dreams of. Operating from the heart of the pitch, Vitinha dictates tempo like few other players in his position.

His versatility is unmatched as well, playing under Enrique as a deep-lying playmaker or defensive midfielder, as and when needed. Barring PSG’s 3-1 win over Le Mans, Vitinha has appeared full 90 minutes in eight other matches across all competitions. He has one goal and one assist this season.

LM: Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)

Without a doubt, one of this generation’s most exciting talents, Rayan Cherki has been a bombshell since his move to Manchester City last year. The Lyon academy product has been trusted with minutes in each of City’s nine games this term. And he has not disappointed, scoring five and assisting two along the way.

Tactically, Cherki plays as an advanced playmaker or inverted winger who thrives in the half-spaces – his goal against Liverpool a testament to his brilliant skillset. He makes the list ahead of other promising talents like Joao Neves and Elliot Anderson.

RW: Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)

Like his Georgian teammate, Ballon d’Or winner Dembele didn’t get off to the best of starts, but his man-of-the-match performance in the 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava set in motion PSG’s four-match winning streak. He scored two and assist two in that UCL fixture.

Dembele has experienced a major transformation under Enrique, frequently shifting inside from his traditional inverted right-wing position to operate as an unpredictable central forward or false nine. Having been handed additional rest ahead of this game, the Cityzens will need to keep a close eye on Dembele.

CF: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)   

There is perhaps a no better poacher in world football at the moment. Erling Haaland has made eight appearances for City this campaign, averaging a goal per game with his eight-goal tally. He has now scored in six consecutive matches.

His elite presence inside the box stretches defensive shapes as he looks to target the far post time and again. Haaland’s stature as a top number nine is not up for debate.

LW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint Germain)

Kvaratskhelia’s 2026/27 season hasn’t gone off to the best of starts despite netting PSG’s first in their 2-1 Super Cup win over Aston Villa in mid-August. The Georgian is an integral part of PSG’s attack though, raising the team’s morale in times of need.

His recent cameo against Le Mans indicated a sign of things to come, as he netted his side’s second with a deft strike in a 3-1 win. Of late, he has increasingly been utilized as a highly effective impact substitute in late-game scenarios. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him start against City.