untung99.biz: Man City 2 1 PSG

Manchester City sealed their passage into the Champions League last 16 as group winners after coming from a goal down to beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

City dominated the opening 45 minutes but could not find a breakthrough as Mauricio Pochettino, who was heavily linked with the vacant Manchester United job in the build-up to the game, saw his PSG side hold firm under a barrage of pressure from the hosts.

Pep Guardiola’s side were made to pay for their wastefulness early in the second half as Kylian Mbappe put the Ligue 1 leaders ahead against the run of play.

However, City stormed back, with goals from Raheem Sterling and substitute Gabriel Jesus completing the turnaround, to secure a place in the knockout phase with a game to spare.

The victory sees Guardiola’s men, who are aiming to win their first Champions League title, also top Group A with one game left to play, while PSG are also through despite the loss in Manchester because of Club Brugge’s 5-0 defeat at the hands of RB Leipzig.

Group A standings…

How dominant Man City came back to stun PSG…

Despite the absence of key attacking players in Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, Manchester City started firmly on the front foot and created a number of clear-cut opportunities as they dominated most of the opening 45 minutes.

Rodri rose highest to head Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick goalwards but his powerful header was cleared off the line by Presnel Kimpembe.

Mahrez was heavily involved in the action for City in the first half and the visitors needed Achraf Hakimi to divert the Algerian’s curled effort over the crossbar.

There was no let up from City as they continued to pin PSG back and they hit the post through Ilkay Gundogan, although the flag was raised for offside, and Keylor Navas produced a fine save low to his right to deny Mahrez.

The hosts were given a warning just before the break when John Stones was caught in possession in the centre circle. Neymar pounced before sliding the ball through for Mbappe, but the French striker’s early shot flew over Ederson’s crossbar.

Despite all City’s first-half dominance, they were caught out as PSG raced out of the traps at the start of the second half.

Lionel Messi and Neymar were both heavily involved as the visitors attacked from deep before Messi’s deflected cross fell kindly for Mbappe, who fired through the legs of Ederson to give PSG the lead against the run of play.

The goal did not knock City off course, though. They responded brilliantly to the setback and equalised 13 minutes later when Sterling stretched to convert Kyle Walker’s cutback from close range.

The turnaround was complete 14 minutes from time when Bernardo Silva produced an exquisite touch to play Mahrez’s cross into the path of Jesus, who finished into the far corner to secure City’s place in the last 16.

That was a statement performance from Man City. PSG may have punished them for not converting their first-half dominance into goals, but they stuck at it, continued to play at a really high level and got their deserved reward in the end.

‘A big statement from Man City’

Clinton Morrison on Soccer Special:

“Man City have landed a big psychological blow on PSG.

“It was a proper football game and City deserved their victory. In the first half they were outstanding. They created so many chances and they were the better team. You didn’t really see the PSG front three in the first half.

“However, in the second half we saw what they can do with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. They scored a really good team goal.

“But then Man City just turned it up again. It was a really positive performance from Man City and Pep Guardiola will be happy to get the three points that seals top spot in the group.

“It’s a big statement from City against a superstar PSG team!”

What the managers said…

Man City boss Pep Guardiola: “It was a good game. The sense of danger when they have the ball in the final third is terrible, but, again, we did a good performance. It was unfortunate in the first half the chances we had we couldn’t convert and, from nothing, they have the quality to do it. After the goal we suffer for five-10 minutes but, after that, with our people – thank you to how they supported us – it was a lovely night for us.