Paris v City - 18 Sept 2024 Manchester City FC - Official Website of Man City F.C.

The first shot of the game falls Paris FC's way.

A loose pass from Fowler is cut out by Mateo, who feed Bourdieu in down the right.

She tries her luck from distance but it's straight at Yamashita, who comfortably claims.

Nice bit of link play between Ouahabi and Fowler, with the latter looking to thread Hemp in down the left.

However, the Australian's pass is too heavy and it goes out for a goal kick.

Promising signs though early on here in Paris!

A stray pass from a Paris FC defender gives us a throw in around 35 yards from goal on the left.

Ouahabi opts to throw it back to Greenwood, allowing City to mount another attack.

Typical composure at the back for City as Greenwood knocks the ball back to Yamashita under pressure, allowing us to confidently play the ball forwards.

City enjoying most of the play early on, but nothing to show for it as of yet.

Hasegawa gets us under way... COME ON, CITY!

The crescendo which had greeted both players comes to an abrupt halt as a minute's silence is observed.

We'll be under way soon after!

Starting XI: Yamashita, Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood (C), Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Park, Miedema, Fujino, Fowler, Hemp.

The players are out onto the pitch at Stade Charlety, taking the usual pre-match photos... City then get together for a team huddle ahead of the action.

COME ON, CITY!

“We have big ambitions to win this season across all competitions and it all starts on Wednesday with the first Champions League game.

“We’re all feeling fresh and ready to go to make a statement in the Champions League.

“I signed for City because I want to win trophies, and I believe this is a club that can do that. It’s so important that we get past this stage.

“[We have] learned from previous years the difference we need to make and we have an experienced squad that have been in World Cup finals and in Champions League games at latter stage. We know what it takes to win."

“They are one of the most aggressive pressing teams at times can be slightly erratic in their press and leave spaces.

“They can have a lot of success with the energy they put into the game. They’re a dangerous opponent so what we have to do is be smart with the ball and be ruthless.

“I’m expecting a high energy and fast game. Of course we want to try to control as much as we can. Difficult to do that. Anticipate the spaces slightly more in the backline in front. We have players more than capable of playing that game as well.”