Manchester City vs PSG 2-1: Citizens Fight Back

Manchester City fought back from going one nil down at the Etihad Stadium to win 2-1 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday night. 

It was a night that epitomizes the brilliance of the Champions League as the elite of the elite clashed in what was a truly gripping game from start to finish. Moments of talent and skill were displayed throughout as stars such as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Riyad Mahrez put on a show in Manchester. 

Pep Guardiola’s side put in a performance to be proud of and created a host of chances throughout, even without Kevin De Bruyne due to him testing positive for COVID-19, as well as Phil Foden and Jack Grealish who were both unfit. Aymeric Laporte and Cole Palmer dropped to the bench as Ruben Dias and Oleksandr Zinchenko came into the starting line up, as well as Riyad Mahrez. 

PSG had Sergio Ramos and Marco Verratti on the bench as both players had recently missed game time due to injury. Verratti, Juan Bernat, Abdou Diallo and Thilo Kehrer all dropped to the bench from their 3-1 victory over Nantes at the weekend, being replaced by Ander Herrera, Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos and Nuno Mendes. 

Mahrez posed a threat throughout the night here as he was influential and created a host of chances for the Citizens. Lionel Messi was at the heart of all things good for PSG but it was substitute Gabriel Jesus who made the difference and grabbed the winning goal. 

FULL TIME | A wonderful win! ?

? 2-1 ? #ManCity pic.twitter.com/GHHuOjGpwl

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 24, 2021

City Early Dominance 

Man City looked to press the PSG backline high up the pitch from the off and they had the better of possession in the first 15 minutes. The first chance of the game came from a Rodri header, following an inswinging free-kick by Mahrez from the left, but Presnel Kimpembe cleared the ball away with a header in what was a busy night for the PSG defense. 

Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked to hit on the counter attack and had a few decent chances on the break as Messi, Mbappe and Neymar combined well but they did not trouble Ederson too much in the first half. 

The hosts looked by far the better side as they continued to pile the pressure on PSG but they were still unable to break the deadlock. Marquinhos and Kimpembe made a few good challenges and blocks in and around the box to deny City. 

There was too many chances to talk about throughout the full 90 minutes in what was a thrilling match here. However, Ilkay Gundogan struck the post in one of the highlights of the action in the first half as he posed a threat going forward all evening. 

The visitors did not threaten too much in the first forty five as they struggled to cope with the Manchester City pressure but Mbappe did see his curling effort sail just over the bar as half time was soon top arrive. 

PSG Fight Back

PSG had a great spell after the break and opened the scoring in the 50th minute through Mbappe, despite being under the cosh for the majority of the game.

They countered brilliantly for a beautiful team goal as Nuno Mendes, Neymar, Messi and Ander Herrera combined before Mbappe was able to slot the ball home between the legs of Ederson for his ninth goal of the season. 

One of the best-ever front three’s in football showed their quality as Neymar also had an excellent opportunity but put his effort wide of the left post from inside the area. 

Gabriel Jesus Makes the Difference 

Mahrez continued his impressive performance into the second half as City looked to fight back. The introduction of Jesus was significant as the Brazilian looked lively and influential when he came on. 

City were able to equalise through Raheem Sterling with an excellent move just after the hour mark. Kyle Walker made a superb run in behind, getting on the end of a fantastic pass from Rodri, before Sterling was able to pick the ball up and just about find the back of the net, poking the ball into the bottom left corner. 

City continued to push on, despite the quality of the PSG counter attacks, and they went 2-1 up with less than 15 minutes remaining through a lovely goal, finished off by Gabriel Jesus. Gundogan drove forward excellently down the right before laying the ball back to Mahrez. The Algerian proceeded to play a fantastic inswinging cross towards the back post for Bernardo Silva. Silva laid the ball off Jesus who was able to finish off the excellent move by Pep Guardiola’s side. 

What’s Next for Man City and PSG

It was a big statement win for Guardiola here as his side got revenge for their 2-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes back in September. They will now qualify top of group A as they go four points ahead of PSG with just one match left in the group stages. City will host West Ham on Sunday in the Premier League in what is a another big game with the Hammers on fine form this season. 

Pochettino will also see his side qualify here, albeit in second place, as they sit four points ahead of both RB Leipzig and Club Brugge. They will travel to play St. Etienne on Sunday in a match that they will be expected to win to make it their third consecutive victory in Ligue Un. 

MATCH SCORECARD

November 24, 2021 – UEFA Champions League 2021-22 Round 5
MANCHESTER CITY – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 2-1

SCORERS: 50′ Mbappe (P), 63′ Sterling, 76′ Gabriel Jesus (M)