Bixente Lizarazu: PSG’s “supersonic version” against City
Bixente Lizarazu hails PSG’s performance in Manchester, calling the first half a masterpiece and highlighting the team’s collective dominance over City. He nevertheless urges caution for the rest of the European season.
Key takeaways
- PSG won 4-2 away at Manchester City on Matchday 2 of the Champions League group stage.
- Lizarazu described the first half as a 'supersonic version' with collective control, pressing and a 16-pass move finished by Désiré Doué.
- The second half was tougher as City pressed and PSG needed decisive saves; caution against relaxing after a big lead.
- PSG have ten goals in their first two European outings, compared with a more hesitant Ligue 1 start.
- Lizarazu says the performance reassures PSG as Champions League contenders, but the real test will come later in the European season.
Match sheet
Manchester City 2 – 4 Paris Saint-Germain
· Ligue des champions · League Phase · Etihad Stadium
- 13' Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 15' Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 32' Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 53' Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — goal
- 61' Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) — yellow card
- 62' Maghnes Akliouche (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 69' Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain) — yellow card
- 75' Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — goal
Standings Ligue des champions : 1er, 9 pts (3 j.)
Paris Saint-Germain won 4-2 away at Manchester City on Matchday 2 of the Champions League group stage, a victory Bixente Lizarazu described as the club’s “supersonic version”.
Assessment of PSG's performance
The former international highlighted an almost perfect first half, marked by collective control, relentless pressing and careful build-up play. In his view, the match showcased the “modern football” advocated by the PSG coaching staff: playing cleanly out from the back, quick passing sequences and incisive attacks. The opening goal, the product of a 16-pass team move finished by Désiré Doué, epitomized that philosophy.
Second-half caveat
Lizarazu, however, tempered his enthusiasm by recalling that the second half was trickier. After a very accomplished first act, a let-up allowed Manchester City to seize the initiative at times; the PSG goalkeeper produced several decisive saves to protect the lead. Coach Luis Enrique was quoted on the danger of holding a big advantage at the break: it can cause a relaxation that makes the rest of the match more perilous.
Standout contrasts and mood
The commentator also noted a contrast between competitions: while the club had made a more hesitant start in the league, it already has ten goals across the first two European outings. The mood within the group appears serene, illustrated by Ousmane Dembélé’s irony about his Ligue 1 minutes after the game.
Conclusion and outlook
Bixente Lizarazu concluded that this outing reassured him about PSG’s ability to assume their role as contenders in the Champions League, while stressing that the real trial of strength will come later in the European season. In short, a controlled demonstration but not enough to dispel every long-term uncertainty.
Your questions, our answers
What did Lizarazu describe PSG's win over City as?
He described it as the club’s 'supersonic version'.
What did Lizarazu say about the first half?
He highlighted an almost perfect first half, marked by collective control, relentless pressing and careful build-up play and noted the opening goal epitomized the philosophy.
What caution did Lizarazu mention regarding taking a big lead at halftime?
He warned that holding a big advantage at the break can cause relaxation that makes the rest of the match more perilous.