Paris St-Germain beat Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium, with a devastating first half that left City 3-0 down at the break. The result came in City’s first home game since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations.
Manchester City returned to their home ground in a show of defiance, presenting an “us against the world” front. Pep Guardiola, who won trophies there over a decade in charge, sat in a low-key position a row behind chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano, wearing a flat cap. His decision to make his return in a match certain to attract a global audience carried clear significance. He is backing his former bosses to clear their name on appeal after the verdict from an independent commission.
The stand bearing Guardiola’s name displayed a “CTID” (City ‘Til I Die) mosaic, and the build-up to kick-off featured fireworks and pyrotechnics worthy of several rock concerts. The show of strength soon gave way to a harsh reality check on the pitch. Champions League holders PSG produced a ruthless first-half performance, and their goals came from Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha. A game that began in a wall of sound, with Guardiola’s name ringing around the stadium at kick-off, fell silent within 15 minutes.
City were shell-shocked as PSG, managed by Luis Enrique, overwhelmed them. Even combative players such as Enzo Fernandez were left chasing shadows. The half-time score of 3-0 arguably flattered City, given how completely they had been outplayed.
A second-half revival
City responded much better after the break, and their performance deserved credit. Manager Enzo Maresca made three half-time changes, and his side created a series of chances. Erling Haaland gave City hope, but Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had a poor night against his former club, saved a shot from Maghnes Akliouche only for the ball to drop behind him and into the net. Josko Gvardiol had a header cleared off the line, and Guardiola clutched his face in anguish. When Haaland scored a goal that threatened a late comeback, Guardiola stayed seated but pumped his fists in the air.
The second-half display did not undo the damage of the first 45 minutes, but it gave City’s supporters a reason to celebrate at the final whistle. The atmosphere remained frenzied, and the home fans gave their team a rousing send-off. Earlier in the week, City had won 3-0 at Liverpool in their first step back into the spotlight, which ended with wild celebrations.
Maresca praised PSG while taking encouragement from his side’s response. “I really like playing against PSG because they are brave,” he said. “We know the way they want to press. They go man-to-man and they are very dynamic on the ball. They are the best team in Europe. They play fantastic football.”
He added: “The reason why we struggled was because we conceded two early goals so quickly. When you are on the pitch you might think this is difficult, but in the second half we created enough to maybe deserve something. We feel sorry for the first half but I think we’re quite happy now.”
Former City defender Nedum Onuoha, who watched the game for television, described it as “great entertainment” but “not a normal game of football”. He felt PSG were excellent in the first half while City looked well off the pace, and that City then rallied with a more aggressive, front-foot approach. “If these two teams had played this game in matchweek six or seven, it would not have looked like this,” he said. “But at this stage, it is just goals, goals and more goals.”
Luis Enrique’s team continues to dominate in Europe. This win over City adds to a list of Champions League victims that includes Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, the latter in a semi-final and then last season’s final.
City now return to domestic action at home to Ipswich Town on Saturday. The club faces continued uncertainty, with the Premier League still awaiting the outcome of sanctions and City’s appeal.