Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez pulled off a brilliant second-half comeback to take control of their Champions League semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain with a 2-1 win in the first leg. Pep Guardiola’s side fought their way through a scintillating early PSG lead with a superb display.
PSG skipper Marquinhos headed the hosts into a deserved lead from Angel di Maria’s corner during the early minutes of the first half. PSG showed in the first 45 minutes exactly why nothing can be taken for granted by City. However, City stepped up their press in the second half, exposing the technical vulnerabilities of the back four and denying PSG’s more able players possession. The unrelenting presence of City in the final 30 metres, however, was sufficient to bring about an equalizer.
In the 64th minute, Kevin de Bruyne’s menacing cross evaded everyone in the penalty area and drifted beyond motionless PSG keeper Kaylor Navas. Mahrez then sealed a dramatic win when his left-foot free-kick went through the wall to beat Navas seven minutes later. This handed City a crucial lead going into next Tuesday’s Etihad decider.
Defensive errors from PSG had helped City turn it around. Also, former Everton midfield man Idrissa Gueye made life even harder for his team-mates. To complete PSG’s misery, he was rightly shown a red card late on for a dreadful challenge on Ilkay Gundogan. With a man advantage, City retained their lead during an increasingly tetchy final few minute. While Foden, Mahrez, and De Bruyne almost made their win even more impressive, Guardiola will know his side have taken a big step towards the Champions League final.
Managers Reaction after the game
Reacting to their loss, PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino said it was two accidents for the two goals. He added that they feel very disappointed and it was difficult to accept that it happened in the semi-final.
“We were better in the first half, but they were more consistent in second half. I think it was difficult for us to cope with the demand and the physical condition. They were a little bit more aggressive, and it was difficult for us to recover the ball, sometimes it was a lot of possession for Manchester City, and of course it made it difficult to play.
“We didn’t show the energy you need when you recover the ball to keep possession and try to force them to go deep.”
On his part, Man City boss, Pep Guardiola said his side turned around their Champions League semi-final first leg by being more aggressive in the second half. He added that he was happy in the locker room after the players were just calm because anything can happen in the second leg.
“We didn’t have good possession in the right positions. This club don’t have much experience in the semi-finals of this tournament. This will help us. In the second half we were aggressive and played really well. Against Dortmund, we conceded and came back. Today the same. [We were] ourselves in the second half. We are good playing in a certain way – we can’t do a different way.
“I was happy in the locker room after the players were just calm. Not cheering, just calm. Anything can happen in the second leg. Now we go to Crystal Palace to make an important step in the Premier League.”
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