Man City vs PSG: early double blow stuns Etihad crowd
Key takeaways
- Man City host PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
- Desire Doue scored in the 13th minute and Ousmane Dembele in the 15th.
- PSG lead 2-0 after two early goals at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City host PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday night. PSG scored twice in two minutes early on. Desire Doue scored in the 13th minute.
Ousmane Dembele scored in the 15th minute. PSG led 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
This article was written while the match was still in progress. It explains what happened early on. It also explains why the game matters for both teams.
The game kicked off at 8pm at the Etihad Stadium. It is matchday two of the league phase. Both teams won their openers.
This was a clash of two European heavyweights.
What happened
PSG started the game on fire. Doue opened the scoring in the 13th minute, according to Sky Sports. Two minutes later, Dembele made it 2-0.
The Etihad crowd was stunned. City had no time to settle.
Two goals in two minutes change a game fast. City had to chase from the 15th minute. PSG could sit back and pick their moments.
The early goals gave PSG full control.
City came into the game in great form. They have been perfect under Enzo Maresca so far. They beat Porto 2-0 away on matchday one.
They also won 3-0 at Liverpool in the league. They have looked almost impossible to stop.
PSG also won their opener. They beat Slovan Bratislava 6-1 on matchday one. That was a big statement.
But their league form has been mixed. They are sixth in Ligue 1. They have won only half of their six league games.
PSG are the champions of Europe. They have won the last two Champions League titles. They beat Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal on their way to the title two seasons ago.
Earlier this year, they beat Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea again to keep the trophy.
That record against English teams is striking. PSG are aiming to become just the second team to go ten or more straight games against English sides in this competition without losing. That shows how strong they have been.
City and PSG have met eight times before. This is their ninth meeting. City have won four of the last eight.
City are also unbeaten against PSG in four home matches. That home record gave City fans hope before kick-off.
One big story before the game was Erling Haaland. He is level with Sergio Aguero on 36 Champions League goals for City. That is the club record.
If he scores, he becomes the club's outright leading scorer in this competition. If he scores twice, he becomes the seventh-highest scorer in Champions League history.
City had a clean bill of health before the game. Maresca could pick from a full squad. Jeremy Doku was back from a calf injury.
He changed the game off the bench at Anfield. Phil Foden could also return after his sending off in the Manchester derby. Foden was set to play alongside Rayan Cherki.
PSG were also close to full strength. Dembele and Nuno Mendes returned after extended breaks. Both had been given extra rest after the international window.
Dembele's return showed at once. He scored the second goal in the 15th minute.
Desire Doue was also in the side. His work for France had been praised by his manager. He scored the first goal.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was set to join Doue and Dembele in attack. Ferran Torres could also feature against his former club.
The only absentee for PSG was Senny Mayulu. He picked up an injury on duty with France's under-21 side. Every other PSG player was fit.
There is also a big off-field story around City. An independent commission found the club guilty of systematic financial fraud. City are appealing that verdict.
Pep Guardiola was expected to be in attendance on Wednesday night. He has backed the club's leaders in their fight to prove City's innocence.
The referee for the game was Sven Jablonski from Germany. Bastian Dankert was on VAR.
Why it matters
For City, this game is about proving they can beat the champions. They have been perfect under Maresca. But PSG are the benchmark in Europe right now.
A win would show that City are back at the very top.
The early goals made that job much harder. City had to chase the game from the 15th minute. Chasing against PSG is dangerous.
PSG have pace and skill on the break. Every City attack leaves space behind.
For PSG, this game is about keeping their grip on Europe. They have won the last two titles. They want a third.
A win at the Etihad would be a huge statement. It would show they can beat anyone, anywhere.
The game also matters for the Champions League table. Both teams started with three points. A win here would put one team on six points.
That is a strong start in the league phase. A defeat would leave the loser with work to do.
There is also the Haaland story. He is chasing the club record. One goal makes him City's top scorer in this competition.
Two goals put him among the top seven scorers in Champions League history. That is elite company.
The off-field case adds pressure too. City are fighting to clear their name. A big win on the pitch would help the mood around the club.
A heavy defeat would add to the noise. The players can only control what happens on the pitch.
PSG's record against English sides is also on the line. They have been superb against Premier League teams in recent years. A win here would extend that run.
It would also keep them on track for another deep run in Europe.
Aston Villa hosted Fenerbahce on the same night. Villa took an early lead there too. Real Betis hosted Porto as well.
It was a busy night of Champions League football across Europe.
What happens next
The full-time result was not yet known when this article was written. City had a long way back from 2-0 down. But City have the players to fight back.
Haaland, Foden, Cherki and Doku can all change a game in seconds.
For City, the next games will test their depth. They are perfect under Maresca so far. But this is their first real setback of the season.
How they react will tell us a lot about this team.
For PSG, the next games will test their focus. They are sixth in Ligue 1. They have not hit top form in France yet.
But they often find an extra gear on European nights. If they keep winning in Europe, the league form will matter less.
Both teams will also look at the table after matchday two. Six points would be a great start. Three points would keep both teams in the mix.
The league phase is long. But early wins build belief.
Haaland's record chase will go on. He needs one goal to pass Aguero. He needs two to reach the top seven scorers in Champions League history.
It is only a matter of time before he gets there.
PSG struck twice in two minutes. City were stunned. The rest of the night would show if the champions could hold on, or if City could fight back.
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