# Manchester City-PSG: Warren Zaïre-Emery, the unsung hero showered with praise > Starting in midfield as Paris won 2-4 in Manchester in the Champions League, Warren Zaïre-Emery delivered a polished performance capped by an assist. Several former internationals and pundits lauded his display. - Source : https://www.psg-news.com/en/article/manchester-city-psg-warren-zaire-emery-the-unsung-hero-showered-with-praise - Published on : 2026-10-15T08:53:31+00:00 - Modified : 2026-10-16T21:23:16+00:00 - Lang : en - Publisher : PSG News (https://www.psg-news.com/) - Tags : warren zaïre-emery, manchester city, champions league, psg, midfielder - Other languages : fr: https://www.psg-news.com/article/manchester-city-psg-warren-zaire-emery-l-homme-de-l-ombre-encense - Photo : Bryan Berlin, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Warren_Zaire-Emery_France_v_Morocco_9_July_2026-051.jpg ## Key takeaways - PSG won 4-2 away at Manchester City in the Champions League. - Zaïre-Emery started in midfield alongside Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha, over Joao Neves, and provided an assist for Vitinha with a backheel. - He was replaced by Lucas Beraldo in the 84th minute. - The France international has 13 caps and previously spent several months at right-back to cover for Hakimi, with pundits praising his performance and consistency. ## A complete performance at the Etihad On Wednesday night, Paris Saint-Germain won 4-2 away at [Manchester City](/en/tag/manchester%20city) in the [Champions League](/en/tag/champions%20league). At the heart of the victory, [Warren Zaïre-Emery](/en/tag/warren%20za%C3%AFre-emery) played a key role. Partnering Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha in midfield, the 20-year-old got the nod over Joao Neves, who started on the bench alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, while Ousmane Dembélé was named in the starting XI. The young Parisian was instrumental in [PSG](/en/tag/psg)'s control of midfield, particularly in the first half. He also stood out with an assist for Vitinha, teeing him up with a well-judged backheel on the edge of the opposition box. He was replaced by Lucas Beraldo in the 84th minute. ## Consistency under pressure Not necessarily the player who grabs the most headlines, Zaïre-Emery stands out above all for his consistency, his ability to perform under pressure and his physical presence in the challenges. That consistency has been evident in most of the 192 matches he has already played in a PSG shirt. ## A godsend His performance drew glowing reactions. "He was exceptional," said Christophe Dugarry, who believes the [midfielder](/en/tag/midfielder) will reignite the competition with the established trio. Daniel Riolo was just as enthusiastic: "I thought he was incredible. For PSG, this player is a godsend. He's a quiet player who doesn't say anything and just works." ## The right-flank option for Les Bleus Beyond his output in midfield, the France international (13 caps, 1 goal) showed his versatility last season, when he spent several months at right-back to cover for the absence of Achraf Hakimi. It is an option Christophe Dugarry would like to see Zinédine Zidane, now France head coach, make use of. "If he plays in the same mould as Hakimi for the national team, it'll do us good," said the 1998 World Cup winner. Luis Fernandez shares that view. He recalled that during his spell on the right flank, the Parisian had been "outstanding", praising his football intelligence and his ability to get forward as well as track back. All of which confirms, once again, Zaïre-Emery's growing importance in the Paris squad, whatever position he is asked to play. ## Your questions, our answers **What was Zaïre-Emery's role in PSG's victory at Manchester City?** Zaïre-Emery played a key midfield role, contributed an assist to Vitinha, and was substituted in the 84th minute. **What did pundits say about Zaïre-Emery after the match?** Christophe Dugarry said he was exceptional; Daniel Riolo called him incredible and a godsend. **What other position has Zaïre-Emery played for France and how is it viewed?** He spent several months at right-back to cover for Hakimi, a versatility that pundits think could be valuable for France. --- PSG News — Unofficial site, not affiliated with Paris Saint-Germain.