PSG win at the Etihad: English press hail Paris masterclass
After beating Manchester City 4-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain drew lavish praise from the British media, who were particularly impressed by their first-half display.
Key takeaways
- PSG beat Manchester City 4-2 away at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League group stage.
- The first half was described as a masterclass with control and 'football from another level' by the Guardian and 'masterful performance' by the BBC.
- Sky Sports called PSG 'breathtaking' and a 'genuine masterclass in control, both with and without the ball'; Mirror said PSG 'showed their class' with a 'football lesson'.
- In France, L'Équipe used the word 'Sublime' on its front page, Le Parisien called it a 'crazy match' and Le Figaro said PSG are 'still the boss of Europe and in command of the game'.
- L'Équipe also called the performance one of the finest matches in the opening phase of the Champions League.
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 statement on Wednesday night. By winning 4-2 away to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League league phase, the two-time reigning European champions reminded their rivals that they will once again be a force to be reckoned with this season. Across the Channel, the performance of Luis Enrique's side drew particularly glowing reactions.
A first half that left observers stunned
It was above all the way Paris played before the break that caught the eye. The Guardian felt the Parisians produced "football from another level" to clinch "a thrilling victory". The BBC, for its part, spoke of the capital club's "masterful performance".
The British public broadcaster also highlighted the contrast with Manchester City's momentum. The Citizens had made a perfect start to the Premier League season, with six wins from six matches, and were, in its words, "brought back down to earth" at the end of a "glorious chaos".
Sky Sports likewise stressed Paris's control in the first half, calling Luis Enrique's team "breathtaking" and praising "a genuine masterclass in control, both with and without the ball". The Mirror, meanwhile, believed PSG "showed their class" by giving the Manchester side "a football lesson". The consensus in the English press was that Paris's superiority was hardly up for debate.
Early dominance
City reaction contrasted
The same enthusiasm in France
The performance was also widely acclaimed on this side of the Channel, where the press reviews were every bit as enthusiastic. L'Équipe ran a one-word front-page headline, "Sublime", describing the Parisians as "extraordinary" in the first half and ranking the game as "one of the finest matches in the history of the Champions League's opening phase".
Le Parisien spoke of a "crazy match" and felt the reigning French champions had further confirmed their status as the benchmark on the continent. Finally, Le Figaro saw a PSG side "still the boss of Europe and in command of the game".
French acclaim
A message to the competition
Beyond the three points, this win away to one of the tournament favourites carries a message. Against a side unbeaten in their league until then, Paris showed they have retained the intensity and collective quality that took them to the top of the European stage in the last two editions. The two goals conceded are a reminder that the game remained lively to the very end, but the quality of the display, especially before the break, won unanimous praise on both sides of the Channel.
Your questions, our answers
How did PSG perform at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League match?
PSG won 4-2 away to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
What was the general reaction of the English press to PSG's performance?
The Guardian, BBC, Sky Sports and Mirror praised PSG, calling it a masterclass or a football lesson and noting Paris's control and superiority before the break.
How did French outlets react to PSG's performance?
L'Équipe called PSG sublime and extraordinary, Le Parisien described it as a crazy match confirming PSG as a continental benchmark, and Le Figaro said PSG were still the boss of Europe.