Champions League: dazzling first-half PSG tame Manchester City at the Etihad
On the back of an outstanding first half, PSG won 4-2 at Manchester City on matchday 2 of the Champions League. Paris then held firm against the hosts' fightback in a far more disjointed second half.
Key takeaways
- PSG defeated Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad on Champions League matchday 2.
- Désiré Doué opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Dembélé made it 0-2 in the 15th, and Vitinha completed the 0-3 before halftime.
- After the break, Haaland pulled City back to 1-3 in the 53rd minute, and Akliouche made it 1-4 in the 62nd as PSG restored their three-goal cushion.
- Haaland added a second in the 75th and had a late chance saved; Vitinha was named the player of the match.
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 made a major statement at the Etihad Stadium, beating Manchester City 4-2 in a game of two halves. The two-time European champions built their win on a first half of remarkable collective precision, before clearly feeling the force of City's revival after the break.
First half
The tone was set inside the opening quarter of an hour. After slick build-up play from the back, Ruiz picked out Désiré Doué to open the scoring (0-1, 13th minute). Moments later, Hakimi sent Dembélé through, a quick exchange with Doué unsettled the defence and the Paris winger doubled the lead (0-2, 15th). Paris then took control, smothering a City side who had no answers. Hakimi hit the post and was then denied by the opposing goalkeeper before a team move finished off by Vitinha made it 0-3, following a cut-back from Akliouche and a deft lay-off in the box (HT 0-3). The Portuguese midfielder was named player of the match.
Second half
After the interval, Enzo Maresca made three changes (Nunes, Ndiaye and Bouaddi for Dias, Doku and Cherki), and the complexion of the game shifted. City raised the intensity, created openings, and Haaland pulled one back by converting a gift of a pass from Ndiaye (1-3, 53rd). Against the run of play, Paris restored their three-goal cushion through Akliouche, whose shot found the net despite a spectacular save from the home goalkeeper (1-4, 62nd).
Keeper note
The closing stages belonged to the Sky Blues: Mendes cleared off the line (69th), Fernandez struck the junction of post and bar (71st) and Haaland headed against the crossbar (74th). The Norwegian eventually grabbed his second after Paris gave the ball away (2-4, 75th). Late on, a reflex save denied Haaland once more (83rd), allowing PSG to hold on to a win built before half-time.
Inconsistency note
It should be noted that the match report consulted contains an inconsistency: the goalkeeper mentioned alternates between Safonov and Donnarumma, making the exact identity of the keeper involved in certain incidents unclear. Either way, Paris leave England with three valuable points and confirmation of an accomplished first-half display ahead of their meeting with Barcelona in a week's time.
Your questions, our answers
How did Désiré Doué score the opening goal?
Désiré Doué opened the scoring (0-1, 13th minute) after Ruiz picked him out.
What changes did Enzo Maresca make after the interval?
Enzo Maresca made three changes (Nunes, Ndiaye and Bouaddi for Dias, Doku and Cherki).
What was PSG’s result and summary after half-time?
Paris left England with three valuable points and a confirmation of an accomplished first-half display ahead of their meeting with Barcelona in a week's time.