It ought to have been over. In previous times, Manchester City would have comfortably sealed the game. Erling Haaland had put them in front with a tap-in shortly after Jack Grealish had broken the deadlock. With 53 minutes on the clock, Manchester City appeared set to revive their ailing Champions League campaign.
However, the current iteration of Pep Guardiola’s team has proven vulnerable. The defending Premier League champions now seem susceptible to high-tempo attacks from opposition teams, an issue that has undermined their early season form. Despite a recent resurgence of four wins from five matches, City could not hold their advantage.
Paris Saint-Germain capitalized on their defensive fragility, electrified by Bradley Barcola, who made the assist for Ousmane Dembélé’s goal and then scored the second himself. The turning point came after Guardiola reshuffled his defense at halftime, following an injury to Rúben Dias. With Rico Lewis entering at left-back and Josko Gvardiol shifting to the center, City’s defensive unit crumbled.
PSG took advantage of the disarray, and a goal from João Neves, following a Vitinha free-kick, pushed them into the lead. City’s response seemed almost futile, with the game now slipping away. PSG added a fourth goal late on, scored by Gonçalo Ramos, after a VAR review confirmed the assist had come off Gvardiol’s touch. PSG dominated the final minutes, creating numerous opportunities and ultimately securing an emphatic 4-2 victory.
For City, the loss added to their already challenging Champions League season. After suffering defeats to Sporting, Juventus, and a draw with Feyenoord after a 3-0 lead, this latest setback highlighted their ongoing vulnerability. Despite this, they will hope to secure qualification in their final group match against Club Brugge.
The game had started cautiously, with both teams sizing each other up. City had opportunities, with Haaland’s header and chances from Kevin De Bruyne and Savinho, but none were converted. In contrast, PSG came close in the first half, including a clear chance for Fabián Ruiz, whose shot was cleared off the line by Gvardiol. Moments later, a deflected goal by Achraf Hakimi was ruled out for offside by VAR.
The second half saw City strike early, taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Grealish and Haaland. However, PSG responded with intensity. Barcola, having been criticized for past performances, broke down City’s defense, assisting Dembélé’s goal and then scoring himself after a mistake from City’s defense. City’s efforts to regain control were thwarted as PSG pressed forward with relentless energy. In the final stages, they had the upper hand, with Dembélé hitting the crossbar and Ramos denied by Ederson before finally securing the fourth goal.
PSG’s commanding victory places them back in contention in the group, despite a grueling schedule that includes matches against top European teams. City, however, face mounting pressure as their Champions League season hangs in the balance.
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