Champions League: brilliant then feverish, PSG wins a crazy shock at Manchester City

PSG has had it all at the Etihad Stadium. An exceptional first period of accuracy, mastery, collective talent. And a feverish second act, on the heels, facing a resurgent Skyblues. Two matches in one. But one result: the double European champions won on the Manchester City field (2-4) for the second day of the Champions League. A shock in the form of a test for Paris, going through all the emotions. Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha (named man of the match) and surprise starter Maghnes Akliouche for the Parisian scorers, against a double from Erling Haaland.

“We are at home, we are at home”

Great atmosphere before kick-off, as is often the case in England. But it only took a quarter of an hour to hear the 3,000 Parisian supporters singing: “We are at home, we are at home”. And for good reason, after a double blow on Safonov's goal (11th, 12th), PSG opened City twice. Goldsmith's work. Exceptional ball release, Ruiz passing, Doué closing his foot (0-1, 13th). Donnarumma helpless. The Italian also watched as a spectator the break goal, Hakimi to throw Dembélé who knocked down Doué, the latter returning the favor (0-2, 15th). Goals which highlighted Parisian technical mastery. A notch above. Not just a highlight. A domination.

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Parisian recital…

More than that in fact. A recital. Haaland had almost nothing to eat. And when he had an opening, Pacho was there (19th). As the minutes passed, the Citizens lost themselves in the web of a PSG at the top of its game: physically, technically, two classes apart. Vitinha alerted Donnarumma to a vicious shot (29th) and Hakimi found the post (31st) before coming up against the Italian (38th). But the latter, “number 1” in the world according to Dembélé, still had to bow: Akliouche behind, delicious backheel from “WZE” and Vitinha at the finish (0-3, 31st). Great art. Manchester City stifled, overwhelmed and... without success, with Pacho on the verge of scoring against his side (39th).

…And Mancunian revolt

To their pride, the Skyblues took a series of corners and had their first shot on target in stoppage time. Not enough to reverse the trend: Paris hit hard in this first act (0-3 MT). But it was a harbinger of things to come. Maresca made three changes to start the second period (Nunes, Ndiaye, Bouaddi instead of Dias, Doku and Cherki). Changes of players, change of attitude above all: aggressive City, throwing all their strength into the battle and making Safonov tremble (49th, 52nd). Before beating him, Haaland converting a candy from Ndiaye (1-3, 53rd). The Etihad came back to life. Paris in the tough.

Akliouche as a trompe-l’oeil

But Paris never died. A powerful pivot strike, Akliouche alerted Donnarumma, who produced an XXL parade. Yes, but it was not enough to prevent the ball from ending up in the back of the net (1-4, 62nd). Astonishing... And cruel for Maresca's men, who continued to push and corner feverish Parisians, like this save from Mendes on the line (69th), this mine from Fernandez on the square (71st) or this header from Haaland on the bar (74th). Despite Akliouche's goal in the form of a sham, Paris had the cup and Haaland made him pay the bill after another loss of the ball (2-4, 75th).

Barcelona in a week

The Citizens had opportunities in spades. But Safonov did not give in to the pressure and saved the house against Haaland with a crazy reflex (83rd). One half on each side, for this crazy match which is difficult to read in the end. Paris inherited a penalty, taken by the former Mancunian Torres but... stopped by Donnarumma (90th). We left it there for this Manchester City-PSG with two faces (2-4 final score). In a week, after a trip to Strasbourg, the Parisians will host Barça for another European shock.