PSG Rest Nuno Mendes Before Manchester City Clash

Paris Saint-Germain have left Nuno Mendes out of their squad for the match against Le Mans to manage his workload ahead of their European trip to Manchester City. According to Football365, the Portuguese left back has accumulated approximately 612 minutes for club and country this season, prompting the French club to give him a rest. The workload includes 350 minutes for PSG and 262 minutes for Portugal during the international break, according to Football365.

Mendes' international playing time has nearly matched his total for his club, highlighting how heavily he has been used since the season began. Portugal started Mendes in three of four international matches, with the defender serving as captain in two of them. He also completed two full matches, adding to his already substantial workload with PSG.

Football365 reported that Mendes signaled fatigue to the bench during Portugal's first match against Wales. The warning led to his substitution, although Portugal's coach continued to rely on him extensively during the international window.

His combined playing time now exceeds 10 hours in competitive matches. PSG's decision to exclude him against Le Mans is intended to provide recovery time before the upcoming meeting with Manchester City, with further fixtures expected to leave limited opportunities for rest. Managing Mendes' workload also highlights the competing demands facing club and international teams. Portugal used the defender to pursue its own objectives during the international break, while PSG must preserve his availability for its domestic and European campaign.

According to Football365, PSG manager Luis Enrique has limited alternatives who can reproduce Mendes' contribution on the left side of defense. Lucas Digne, Lucas Hernandez and Warren Zaïre-Emery have all been tested in that position, but the outlet reported that none has matched Mendes' overall impact. Mendes is not injured, according to Football365. His workload is nevertheless a concern because his contribution extends beyond defensive duties, particularly through his ability to beat opponents in one-on-one situations and generate attacking opportunities.

PSG will need the Portuguese international for the trip to Manchester City, where his ability to make repeated high-intensity runs is an important part of the team's approach. The decision to rest him against Le Mans gives the left back time to recover before that European fixture.