Manchester City lose despite playing well

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City tamed Thoms Tuchel’s brilliant Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the game of tactical mastery and then it was time for Pep to beat Pochettino at Paris. Let us remind you again, Pochettino is the manager of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at present and not Tottenham Hotspur, who have all the elements to be the best, still, a big flop. So, it would not be a tough task for Pep to kick them hard in Paris – well, football was crazy last night in Europe – City lost against PSG, which was surprising.

PSG got off to a great start, as they managed to take the lead just eight minutes into the game through Gueye, who unleashed a thunderous effort inside the box which ended up in the back of the net.

Having played a give-and-go with Messi, Mbappe popped the ball off to Achraf Hakimi and darted for the byline, getting it back unattended before crossing for Neymar, who scuffed his shot. Gueye, though, nipped in ahead of Kyle Walker, took a touch and rasped past Ederson.

Manchester City attempted to bounce back instantly, but they were unlucky to hit the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds as Raheem Sterling's header crashed against the crossbar before Bernardo Silva pounced on the rebound, but his effort from a yard or so came back out off the woodwork.

The Sky Blues piled the pressure on PSG after their wasted double chance, but Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a brilliant save to deny Ruben Dias, who tried to head home from a corner kick just before the break.

Pep Guardiola's men were in control of the game after the break too, but despite dominating possession, they struggled to find a final pass while PSG looked threatening on the counterattack.

And then came Messi's moment.

He found enough space outside City's box on the counter, played a one-two with Kylian Mbappe and then unleashed an effort from the edge of the area to send the ball into the top right corner of Ederson's goal.

That Messi goal took the wind out of City's sails, as they looked resigned to defeat. For PSG, this result is a real signal of intent against arguably England's best team.

City were the better team in the first half when Bernardo Silva advanced a contender for the miss of the season, and they remained on the front foot in the second period until Messi’s goal, even if clear chances became more scarce.

Silva will still not be able to explain how he did not equalise on 27 minutes. The excellent Kevin De Bruyne picked out Raheem Sterling in the middle with the outside of his boot – a sumptuous cross – and Sterling had to score only to head against the crossbar. Then Silva really had to score on the rebound and yet, from point‑blank range and with an open goal gaping, he hit the crossbar. Presnel Kimpembe cleared.

City had more than enough of the play to be level at half-time. They were confident on the ball, advancing through Jack Grealish on the left or making quick switches to Riyad Mahrez on the other flank. They looked capable of springing men in behind a PSG backline that endured nervous moments. Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias extended Donnarumma.

De Bruyne worked Donnarumma again on 55 minutes and it was City who continued to push.

Donnarumma would save from Mahrez late on.

City had 18 shots to PSG’s six, seven on target to PSG’s three. City had the better xG by 1.9 to 0.8.

Frustration for City piled up, up and up as they were not able to tear down a PSG side that may have the stars but not the coordination and fulfilment that is required to be a champion.

There are moments when the better teams don’t win.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 29/09/2021 Manchester City lose despite playing well

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Faisal Caesar