Manchester City's defence will be strengthened by the return of John Stones, manager Pep Guardiola said, as they get ready to resume their Champions League campaign at Paris St Germain on Wednesday.

The first Champions League games to be played in January include one with shocking possible consequences in an unpredictable debut season for the 36-team format.

The Champions League is back after a long break and the juiciest matchup on the Week 7 slate features two European giants. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, who started the Champions League season with trophy aspirations, are on the brink of getting eliminated in the league stage.

Luis Enrique credits Pep Guardiola with inventing arguably the “perfect model” of attacking soccer. He must now outwit him when Paris Saint-Germain faces Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday,

A stuttering and entirely unconvincing Champions League campaign for Paris Saint-Germain will come to a head if they lose to Manchester City on Wednesday, an outcome which would leave the French club teetering on the brink of an early exit.

Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City will rise to the occasion in their crucial Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain after rebuilding their shattered morale with a 6-0 demolition of Ipswich.

Neither Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain would have predicted being in this situation, but it’s their reality now and they cannot afford to drop any more points.