Two wins, two draws and a defeat have left Luis Enrique’s side on eight points, five behind leaders Monaco after Matchday 5. Three seasons ago his first PSG side opened on precisely the same points total.

That autumn carried the same rhythm. Draws against Lorient and Toulouse, wins over Lens and Lyon, a 3-2 home defeat to Nice. The pattern then turned on a 4-0 away win at Marseille. From there PSG went 26 Ligue 1 matches unbeaten and finished the season on 22 wins, 10 draws and two defeats. The title followed.

City arrive under the shadow of a verdict

Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win at Porto on September 8, Erling Haaland scoring both goals, and head into matchday 2 at full points. The Etihad fixture also sits under the weight of an independent commission’s financial-breach verdict, confirmed by the Premier League on September 29.

The club was found guilty of all serious charges spanning the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons. Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, said the ruling details “how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules.”

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City have appealed. The club called the decision disappointing and said “irrefutable evidence exists” supporting their position. Sanctions, which may include points deductions, fines or expulsion, will be set at a separate hearing.

PSG opened Europe with a Dembélé-Torres rout

Luis Enrique’s side began the defense of their European crown on September 9 with a 6-1 win over Slovan Bratislava at Parc des Princes. Ousmane Dembélé scored twice inside six minutes, Ferran Torres added a hat-trick, and Fabián Ruiz closed the scoring in the 88th minute. Slovan’s reply came from Suleiman Camara in the 59th minute. Both sides therefore arrive at matchday 2 with maximum points.

Kick-off at the Etihad is at 8pm local time on Wednesday, October 14.

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