PSG 1 - 2 Man City | UCL | 28.05.21

Paris. Advantage Manchester City, two elite sides displayed their quality for a fine matchup. A half for each side, but in the end, City showed their brilliance. Their response to PSG’s near-perfect first half showed a face to date unseen in the latter stages of the Champions League.
City accepted their familiar role as dictators, PSG seemed happy to oblige. Mahrez, De Bruyne, Gundogan all involved in the early stages with their trademark quick passing. Despite their dominance of the ball, it was PSG, and usual heel, Neymar, who produced the game’s first piece of magic and incisive play. A corner to the far post, controlled by Mbappe, laid off to Florenzi, whose strike cannoned off a City defender. Like a magnet, it found its way to Neymar - a flamboyant one-two leading to a strike first deflected then touched over the crossbar by Ederson.
That period of PSG pressure told. Another corner, this time from the right and Angel Di Maria, the provider. His wonderful in swinging delivery was met by captain Marquinhos, making scoring in the Champions League a habit. At only 26 years of age, his presence on this side compares to Neuer at Bayern or Ramos in Madrid.

Pochettino’s side was very well drilled in the early stages, every player full of running, full of desire. Compact and then suddenly snapping at the heels of their City counterparts. Idrissa Gana Gueye chief among them - snapping a bit too hard as it turned out. For all their good, a lapse in concentration just after the half-hour mark from Keylor Navas led to a City chance. Foden intercepted near the byline, chipped it back across where Mahrez headed down and into the danger area. Parades on that occasion stepped up to clear. These moments were the only blemish on note-perfect PSG first half. Lots of quality on the ball - Neymar delightfully tying together intricate passing moves. It was his link-up with Mitchell Bakkar which led to another timed flurry. Di Maria and Bakkar involved again, both with shots blocked within seconds. On at least one occasion by Reuben Dias – the most active City player in another calm yet robust display.
Just before half time, PSG were at it again– high-risk football has its rewards, but City should have exploited this chance. Another misplaced pass quickly returned. Bernando Silva retrieving spotted Foden running in on the edge of the area, but his strike, although firm, was straight down the throat of Navas and parried away.
The first half displayed Neymar at his best – his most effective. Every trick had a purpose; no feint wasted. He remerged in the second half with strapping on his left elbow, following a clash with Cancelo just before the break. An anonymous second period left his performance feeling a little hollow. To be fair to him, he wasn’t the only one: Verratti, Mbappe et al. smothered by the constriction of City’s attacks.

City came out charged, their spells of possession grew lengthier, more threatening after the interval. Just before the hour mark, De Bruyne flashed an acrobatic effort just over the PSG goal. A few minutes later, Kyle Walker’s full pitch dart led to a dangerous cross into the six-yard area, mopped up by Marquinhos. That City inevitability set in, and eventually, they broke the PSG rear-guard; De Bruyne’s teasing inswinging cross evaded everyone, including Navas, to nestle in the home side’s net.
City weren’t settling; Foden fouled on the edge of the box, led to a dangerous set-piece. All onlookers were readying themselves for De Bruyne to swing his magic right foot again. PSG similarly dumbfounded as it was Mahrez, whose strike bent through the wall and past the helpless Navas.
PSG were singing a familiar tune by the end – the game had turned, and their frustration and petulance rose to match. Gana Gueye, perfect with every tackle in the first period, was well late with an ugly lunge at the achilleas of Ilkay Gundogan. The red card followed.
Late efforts from the very impressive Mahrez, a mazy Foden dribble and a fierce left-foot drive from De Bruyne, in another inspired performance, attempted to put the tie out of sight, but 1-2 it remained. A hugely impressive display from Pep’s men – a great tie. In normal times, City fans would be booking their flights to Istanbul right now; Pep won’t let his players be as presumptuous. Two away goals and performance to match City’s lead is convincing, but PSG’s first-half ascendency shows this one isn’t over just yet.