Marco Verratti fails to overcome groin issue to face Manchester City

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti hasn't been able to shrug off a groin injury in time to participate in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Manchester City.

The Italian has been out for almost two months after suffering the issue in a 4-1 defeat of Stade de Reims, and manager Laurent Blanc hinted at his likely exclusion on Monday, saying that he required a "miracle" to be in contention.

In the absence of the talismanic 23-year-old, Blanc appears to have selected a 3-5-2 for the trip to Northwest England, handing an opportunity to Gregory van der Wiel down the right and potentially utilising the ever-dangerous Angel Di Maria in a free role behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani.

Due to the 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes last week, City holds a slender advantage as it welcomes the Ligue 1 champion to the Etihad Stadium.