PSG withstand City comeback to win 4-2 at the Etihad

Paris Saint-Germain beat Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium on October 14, surviving a second-half fightback to maintain their perfect start to their Champions League defence. PSG led 3-0 at half-time, but Erling Haaland scored twice as City threatened to overturn the deficit.

The result sent the European champions top of the Champions League table after two games. It was City’s first defeat of the season under Enzo Maresca, who had won his first eight matches in all competitions since replacing Pep Guardiola.

PSG take control before the break

Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha scored as PSG dominated the first half. Their three-goal lead left City facing a steep task in their first home game since being found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules.

Guardiola returned to the Etihad Stadium in a show of support after City were found guilty on more than 100 charges of financial impropriety between 2009 and 2018. He watched his former players struggle in the opening 45 minutes before they responded after the break.

Haaland sparks City’s response

Haaland’s two goals brought City back into the match. They also struck the woodwork twice, while PSG defender Nuno Mendes made a goalline clearance to prevent another goal.

PSG head coach Luis Enrique acknowledged how close his side had come to surrendering their advantage. “We could have lost this match if they scored the chances that they created,” he said. “I think it was a very nice match, but the way they play, it’s amazing. We like to play these kind of matches.”

Maghnes Akliouche scored PSG’s fourth goal, and Ferran Torres missed a late penalty for the visitors. Luis Enrique said PSG had kept trying to score but admitted City had created enough chances to punish them in the second half.

What the result means

PSG have won both of their opening Champions League matches and sit top of the table. City, despite their comeback, dropped to 17th after two games.

Maresca said City could learn from the defeat even after a difficult first half. “From tonight we can learn many things,” he said. He added that he had arrived three months earlier and that the feeling at the moment was “very good”.