An end-of-empire feel as Manchester City suffer greatest capitulation of all
Of all the shocking struggles of Manchester City during this most baffling of seasons, this was the greatest capitulation of all. This was an embarrassment. A showpiece humiliation with an end-of-empire feel.
Two-nil up against Paris St-Germain, in a heavyweight tie they had to win, they were simply overwhelmed, and with this defeat their hopes of qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League are under serious threat.
Damningly it was the ninth time this season they have failed to win having led, and that is extraordinary for a team and a manager boasting their achievements, ability and previous resolve. It exposed their current fragility once again.
The mere fact that they can have no complaint and were deservedly beaten said it all. “They were better… I have to accept that,” Pep Guardiola said. PSG certainly were and City should have lost even more convincingly.
They are now down in 25th place in the Champions League table, will currently miss out on the knockout stages, and must beat Club Brugge at home next Wednesday to have a chance of progressing. Where once that was a given – and they clearly should still go through – it is a tie fraught with doubt. After all, they threw away a 3-0 lead to draw at home with Feyenoord to help place them in this predicament. At best City can scrape into the play-offs.
“Beaten by the waves, Paris you never sank”, read a huge banner unfurled by the PSG ultras before kick-off. But as the waves crashed around them City were left floundering and in danger of going under when they should have all but secured their passage. PSG also had to win, and deservedly did just that as they washed the visitors away in the teeming Parisian rain.
It was not supposed to be like this for either of these European giants and while PSG, in particular, have had a tough draw under this new format, if they play like this they should be among the favourites, rather than scrabbling to get through.
They simply ran all over City. Quicker, stronger, more aggressive, better. In losing to Juventus in Turin last month, City had looked like the old men being beaten by the Old Lady. Here they looked even more decrepit against the young boys of Paris.
City put six goals past Ipswich Town and we wondered if they were back. Not on this evidence. No way. It was a game too far for Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic. Aged 33, 30 and 30 respectively, they simply could not cope with a PSG midfield of the quite brilliant 20-year-old Joao Neves, 24-year-old Vitinha and 28-year-old Fabian Ruiz.
So much has been made of Rodri’s absence and it was highlighted again, with Guardiola lamenting how his team failed “to control the midfield”. Afterwards former City midfielder Fernandinho was having selfies with PSG fans. How City could do with a wily midfielder like him now.
They are recruiting heavily, with the focus on defenders. There is also interest in their former midfielder Douglas Luiz and they cannot sign him – or someone else who can manage a game from the number six role – soon enough.
PSG coach Luis Enrique brought on Ousmane Dembele and Goncalo Ramos – who ruthlessly tore City’s defence to shreds with their pace and directness and both scored – along with 18-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery, whereas only one of Guardiola’s substitutions worked.
That was Jack Grealish, who replaced Savinho at half-time, taking over from the winger Guardiola has said is in better form than him. When he opened the scoring it felt like he would be the story.
It was Grealish’s first goal in open play since 2023 and there looked like a bit of anger in his finish as he lashed the ball powerfully into the net. When he was involved in City’s second goal, swept in by Erling Haaland, the narrative appeared set. It was also Haaland’s 47th Champions League goal – drawing him level with Eusebio and Sergio Aguero – in just 46 games.
Then came a total collapse. An unmitigated disaster. In four minutes, PSG were level and the nature of those goals exposed City’s weaknesses. They had lost Ruben Dias to injury at half-time, and although he had been struggling it meant another defensive reshuffle. But still.
Firstly, Desire Doue was too fast down the left before pulling the ball back for Dembele, who had pulled away easily in the middle. He side-footed home. Then a shot from the 19-year-old Doue cannoned back off the crossbar, with Bradley Barcola, 22, sending it back across goal and over the line.
Ousmane Dembele gets one back for PSG 👀
Three goals have been scored in the last six minutes between the two sides 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/avKvmsKjeT— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
PSG come back from 2-0 down to draw the game level at 2-2 in just 8 minutes 🤯
Bradley Barcola with the finish against Man City 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/5r35CdgheW— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
At this point City needed to regroup. They needed to turn to their leaders. They needed to stem the tide and ride the waves. Instead they listed and shipped more water, as Dembele nutmegged Bernardo and hammered another effort off the bar before they won a free-kick with City woefully at fault.
The delivery ran all the way through to Neves beyond the far post and he stooped to head in. John Stones had just come on for City, and he missed the cross completely in front of the watching England head coach – and former PSG coach – Thomas Tuchel, who will have also been alarmed at how ineffective Phil Foden was after his impressive performance at Portman Road.
Even so there was time for City to respond, but they did not create a chance. Instead they almost visibly shrank, and deep into injury time Ramos ran through to fire high beyond Ederson. The striker was flagged offside but after a long VAR check – one that summed up how tortuous it was for City – the goal was given. The comeback was complete, as was the collapse, and the scoreline had a more realistic and damning look.
10:34 PM GMT
How City would love Fernandinho in his prime right now
Manchester City legend Fernandinho was outside the Parc des Princes having selfies with PSG fans. He was watching the game from the directors’ box. How City would love Fernandinho in his prime to shore up their midfield at the moment.
10:33 PM GMT
Jack Grealish speaks to TNT Sports
“It is difficult. I don’t know if it’s a confidence thing. We have so many players on the pitch when we go 2-0 up that are so good at keeping it. Credit to Paris, they were so good, very energetic and a lot better than I thought... I don’t meant that in a bad way but they were top tonight, a really good team. They deserved it.”
What he thought after going 2-0 up:
“It’s all going to plan. I think it was perfect... [after] we didn’t do it [keep the ball]. When I was on the pitch I felt like at times they had people showing all the time, people wanting it and keeping it.”
Will the pressure push them into a big performance at home in the final game?
“I hope so. We’ve had games like this, especially in recent seasons. Big pressure games where we’ve come up. Bruges are good team who had good result in the Champions League this year. It’s down to us. We’re really good at home, so hopefully we can prepare for the weekend at Chelsea and then all eyes are on that game.”
10:27 PM GMT
Guardiola speaks after defeat
“The first half they had a moment. They were better. We scored all in five minutes, they scored all in five minutes. They were better, they were faster to the ball. They are fast, accept the defeat because the best team won. We have a last chance at home against Bruges and if we win we will qualify. The game was never like we wanted.”
On why they collapsed after going 2-0 up:
“To play you have to play, we could not. To defend the result you have to take the ball. We didn’t have it. They had it more and attack better and that is why it is so difficult.”
Could they go out?
“It could happen. If we don’t win we don’t deserve it. We didn’t do enough points and have to accept it. The last game against Bruges will dictate what we have to do.”
10:19 PM GMT
In contrast...
10:17 PM GMT
This sums up City’s evening
Credit to PSG, especially Dembele and Barcola, though. A superb second-half performance.
10:03 PM GMT
Nine times City have not won when ahead this season
10:02 PM GMT
Delirium for PSG
A win in their final game next week against Stuttgart would see them qualify. Actually, Stuttgart playing PSG works in City’s favour as they are both just ahead of City. City need to overtake one of Stuttgart, PSG, Sporting, Benfica, Club Brugge or PSV. I think that perhaps means that, given City play Club Brugge next week, a win might be enough.
09:57 PM GMT
FULL-TIME: PSG 4 Man City 2
City now slip out of the qualification spots. City have to win and, I believe, need to hope that other results go their way too. Astonishing really.
09:56 PM GMT
GOAL! The VAR awards the goal to PSG!
The referee points to the centre spot as replays show the ball came off Gvardiol before falling to Goncalo Ramos! And that is the final whistle too. City humiliated? Not far off it. Another certified collapse.
After a lengthy VAR check, PSG extend their lead to 4-2 in the final kick of the match 👏
Man City are now 25th in the Champions League, one position outside of the Round of 16 playoff spots 👀
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/GUGHj6BhkP— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
PSG 4 Man City 2
09:54 PM GMT
90+5 mins - PSG 3 Man City 2
This is a lengthy check. Still we wait...
09:53 PM GMT
90+3 mins - PSG 3 Man City 2
PSG have the ball in the back of the net again, this time with Ramos picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box before smashing home. But he is flagged offside. And rightly so, by about three yards.
But they are looking to see if it came off a City player before Ramos took the ball.
09:51 PM GMT
90+2 mins - PSG 3 Man City 2
City get a corner... time for the big goalie to come up? No it seems. PSG win a free-kick from the corner, Haaland fouling Donnarumma. Time is nearly up for City.
09:50 PM GMT
89 mins - PSG 3 Man City 2
This result would be a hard one to take for City fans and players especially.
Ederson saves from Ramos from close range after an excellent run for Dembele. Three minutes of added time.
09:46 PM GMT
86 mins - PSG 3 Man City 2
Gundogan has a shot for City which is just over. Their first attack in a while. PSG up to 23rd as it stands on 10 points along with Benfica, Sporting and Stuttgart.
09:45 PM GMT
85 mins - PSG 3 Man City 2
What does that goal do to the table and City’s hopes of qualifying? It puts them 25th and in the elimination zone, two points behind Stuttgart in 24th, the final qualifying position. That means City would have to win their final game and hope other results go their way. If it stays as it is.
09:43 PM GMT
84 mins - PSG 3 Man City 2
Dembele shoots again from a similar position. He drags it down low and Ederson gets a hand to it, and he had to, and it’s a PSG corner. City are on the ropes here. A knockout blow could well be coming.
09:42 PM GMT
83 mins - PSG 3 Man City 2
PSG think they have a fourth, briefly. It would have been a fine, fine goal but Dembele is offside at the back post and comfortably.
09:39 PM GMT
GOAAAL! Joao Neves puts PSG ahead
PSG have a free-kick from fairly deep on the right. It’s a brilliant ball whipped in towards the far-post by Vitinha, inswinging.
John Stones, just on, misses his header which means Neves is free at the keeper’s near post, the free-kick taker’s far post, and he heads brilliantly down and beyond Ederson. City collapse: complete.
PSG COME BACK AGAINST MAN CITY 🤯
After going 2-0 down, Joao Neves fires home to give PSG the lead 🤩
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/t2p3ZSS6sS— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
PSG 3 Man City 2
09:37 PM GMT
78 mins - PSG 2 Man City 2
John Stones on for Matheus Nunes. This game could go either way but PSG should – and surely will – be the favourites as it stands.
09:34 PM GMT
75 mins - PSG 2 Man City 2
What is Guardiola thinking?
He has been in this situation before. Quite frequently in the last few months.
09:30 PM GMT
71 mins - PSG 2 Man City 2
De Bruyne off, Kovacic off. Gunodgan and McAtee on for City. Will that make a difference?
Dembele shimmies and then nutmegs Bernado Silva on the right side of the box before smashing the ball into the bar from a tight angle!
09:28 PM GMT
70 mins - PSG 2 Man City 2
For the first time in a while City get a bit of the ball and are roundly jeered by the home fans. City’s tendency in their bad run has been to collapse and it has happened again. Best to collapse with 30 minutes remaining in the game, though. City being patient in their attack but the important thing for them is that if they have the ball, PSG cannot attack and score.
09:25 PM GMT
66 mins - PSG 2 Man City 2
City did not even have the chance to consider changing their gameplan after going 2-0 up. They are well and truly under the cosh now. Looking shaky at the back, it is all PSG.
09:23 PM GMT
PSG going for the win
Sheer joy from Bradley Barcola when he tucked away that rebound – but he was also running straight back to the halfway line. PSG are going for the win here.
09:21 PM GMT
GOAAAL! PSG ARE LEVEL!
2-0 up to 2-2 in the space of 10 minutes. A mini-collapse from City. A shot is sent in from the left edge of the box, possibly deflected. It comes off the bar and falls to Barcola on the right in the box about seven yards out, he sticks out a right leg and it loops in at the far post! Ederson helpless. A mad second half so far. Four goals in 10 minutes... and City under immense pressure.
PSG come back from 2-0 down to draw the game level at 2-2 in just 8 minutes 🤯
Bradley Barcola with the finish against Man City 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/5r35CdgheW— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
PSG 2 Man City 2
09:17 PM GMT
A test for City coming up
This will be a test of City now. They have been prone to collapse during their awful run in November and December, with panic setting in when opponents get on top. Dembele’s goal has lifted the home crowd and City’s defence will be tested.
09:16 PM GMT
GOAAAL! PSG have one back!
Demeble, the substitute, is in before slotting home from 10 yards out. An incisive move from PSG with Barcola turning and leaving Matheus Nunes for dead, busting a lung down the left wing. He then squares it for Dembele who side-foots coolly into the back of the net. “Game on!” as they say. This game has erupted! There is so much at stake for both teams.
Ousmane Dembele gets one back for PSG 👀
Three goals have been scored in the last six minutes between the two sides 🤯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/avKvmsKjeT— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
PSG 1 Man City 2
09:14 PM GMT
GOAL! City double their lead in short order!
Haaland from close range at the near post! Grealish gets the ball on the left, his low cross in the box isn’t great but it is deflected towards Haaland as a leg is stuck out. The big Norwegian thumps the ball and it sneaks in via Donnarumma.
That didn't take long!
Erling Haaland doubles Man City's advantage over PSG just 3️⃣ minutes after they took the lead 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/zFMnzJQExC— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
PSG 0 Man City 2
09:12 PM GMT
52 mins - PSG 0 Man City 1
That goal does wonders for City’s chances of qualifying for the next round. Less so PSG.
Super-Sub! There was a bit of anger in that finish from Jack Grealish. The celebration was relief from the forward who recently ended a year-long goalscoring drought when he netted against Salford City in the FA Cup. There was not much reaction from the bench either. City survived a wait for a VAR check and now have a foot in the play-offs.
09:10 PM GMT
GOAL! City are ahead...
Dembele on for Lee Kang-in for PSG. Foden picks up the ball on the edge of the box, has De Bruyne running free on his right but decides against passing to him and instead goes backwards into a couple of PSG players...
City come again though and it ends up Jack Grealish smashing in a goal from eight yards to put City ahead! Donnarumma had just saved smartly from close range bit Grealish makes an instant impact, following up in the penalty box!
Jack Grealish fires Man City ahead just minutes after coming onto the pitch 🤩
It's his first goal in the Champions League this season 💪
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1NXEgE6nsK— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025
A brief check but the goal is given.
PSG 0 Man City 1
09:07 PM GMT
City still playing neurotically
Pep Guardiola seemed far from appeased by City’s first-half performance, frequently fulminating at his assistant Juanma Lillo alongside him. For all their recent improvements, they are still playing far too neurotically for their manager’s liking. When one Kevin De Bruyne cross flew straight out, Guardiola threw out his hands in mock pleading.
09:05 PM GMT
KICK-OFF! We are under way in the second half
Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish on... Kovacic and Savinho off for City.
08:48 PM GMT
HALF-TIME - PSG 0 Man City 0
City go in level.
08:47 PM GMT
44 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
That ends the lull! Hakimi fires side-footed from the edge of the box with miles of space in the City defence. Nino Mendes makes a great run on the left, squares it into the box before another pass back to Hakimi whose shot is deflected past Ederson.
Was Mendes offside though? Yes, just about. The goal is ruled out. A few inches ahead with his knee...
That is a huge let-off for City, with PSG seizing on a mistake to get the ball in the net. Saved by VAR. But Nuno Mendes showed why Manchester United have eyed him as a potential left-back signing. Showed his attacking qualities to get behind City’s defence and an excellent pass when he could have shot at goal. Was just beyond the last defender.
08:45 PM GMT
42 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
A bit of a lull as we approach half time. Who has been the best side? Probably even on balance. PSG with more shots, City with a few half-decent chances. xG says 0.75 to 0.52 to City...
08:41 PM GMT
38 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
City’s Savinho forces a good save from Donnarumma at the near post. He picks up the ball just outside the box, runs with it towards the byline before shooting low. Probably took a touch too many and narrowed the angle too much but he did have three blue shirts around him and was travelling at speed. Not easy.
08:36 PM GMT
34 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
A bit of sting taken out of the game in the last five minutes or so and that applies to both teams. Patient play for PSG but they end up going all the way back. A few decent chance so far in this game but no goals.
08:33 PM GMT
Wembanyama hard to miss
You can hardly miss the sight in the stands of Victor Wembanyama, all 7ft 3in of him. At 21, he has come to rival Kylian Mbappe as the most luminous sports star in France, his duel with Steph Curry at last summer’s Paris Olympics becoming a huge national event. He is not merely here out of curiosity. His team, the San Antonio Spurs, are in the city to take on the Indiana Pacers in two regular-season NBA games on Thursday and Saturday.
08:32 PM GMT
‘Stunning clearance from Gvardiol’
That is a stunning goal-line clearance from Josko Gvardiol. Backing away, he gets his knee on Fabian Ruiz’s powerful finish. City were fans were making themselves heard a few minutes ago as the match levelled out – but PSG are having a good spell of attacking now.
08:31 PM GMT
29 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
Marquinhos is going to be booked for breaking down a City attack on the halfway line. Or nearly doing it. It continues with the referee playing advantage but the moves breaks down when Haaland is tackled on the left-hand side of the penalty box. Could have done better there, Haaland.
08:28 PM GMT
26 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
Vitinha nearly caps off a PSG move with a goal but his shot from the edge of the box is deflected behind, just beyond the post. The corner comes in and it falls to Fabian Ruiz eventually and his half-volley is blocked on the goalline! Who was it? Gvardiol.
Shouts of handball in there somewhere but nothing doing.
Decent game, this.
08:26 PM GMT
Impressive from Doue so far
Didier Deschamps is also on the executive balcony, sitting next to Thomas Tuchel. There are abundant options to excite the France coach – preparing to bow out after the 2026 World Cup to end a 14-year spell with the national team – on display here. Bradley Barcola starts here alongside Desire Doue, the wunderkind plucked from Rennes and considered one of the most luminous prospects in the European game. The 19-year-old has made a hugely impressive start here.
08:24 PM GMT
22 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
City have grown into this game and are now the better side. Savinho makes a brilliant run down the left, leaving the PSG defenders for dead. He finds Foden but he miscontrols the ball on the edge of the box.
Booking for PSG’s Nuno Mendes who misses the next match.
08:22 PM GMT
20 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
Foden on the right finds Haaland just outside the six-yard box but his tame header is an easy save for Donnarumma. Should he have left it for De Bruyne behind him? Probably – it would have been an easier header for him – but he is going to back himself to score from there, isn’t he?
08:20 PM GMT
18 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
Hakimi has a shot from the right edge of the box but it goes comfortably into the bread basket of Ederson.
08:19 PM GMT
17 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
Haaland does well to pick up the ball under pressure with a good run but he has no immediate options for a pass so holds the ball up before finding a team-mate. City build their attack patiently but lose the ball on the edge of the penalty area.
08:16 PM GMT
VIPs in P A R I S
Adding to the VIP list in the PSG directors’ box, Uefa president Aleksander Čeferin is here. He is sitting next to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who also on the Uefa executive committee.
08:15 PM GMT
13 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
First chance for City, but a shot from Kevin De Bruyne is saved at the near post. It came after a shot was blocked and then deflected to the Belgian out on the left of the box.
08:13 PM GMT
10 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
Great ball in from a free-kick on the right. Joao Neves is there at the back post, has a free header but sends it over... a great chance and he should have done better. PSG on top in the first 10 minutes.
08:11 PM GMT
PSG with lots of energy
PSG striker Désiré Doué tries to whip up the crowd after forcing a save from Ederson. This match is being played at a very high tempo with the French champions putting in plenty of energy to press City. It led to a mistake in the backline and Bradley Barcola being left in a promising position.
08:09 PM GMT
7 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
A crucial interception from Akanji to stop Nuno Mendes getting a shot away from close range after a slick PSG move. Corner to the hosts.
08:06 PM GMT
3 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
Nunes overhits a pass and a City attack is wasted. No sign of the rain easing up yet. PSG launch an attack from the back and it finishes with Doue lashing a shot from the right side of the penalty box. It is saved at the near post. An easy enough save but decent enough from Ederson and likewise Doue.
08:04 PM GMT
2 mins - PSG 0 Man City 0
The first corner goes to City...
08:01 PM GMT
KICK-OFF!
We are under way in rainy Paris.
07:59 PM GMT
A battle for survival
Huge tifo unfurled at the Parc des Princes, with the Paris motto, translated as: Beaten by the waves, Paris has never sunk. The light show is more Moulin Rouge than Champions League, with teams waiting to come out. It is effectively a battle for survival, with both teams looking to secure a play-off place.
07:55 PM GMT
A reminder of the line-ups
07:52 PM GMT
No surprise to see Thomas Tuchel in the stands
England head coach Thomas Tuchel and his assistant Anthony Barry are in the stands for this game. Tuchel has certainly been getting to a lot of matches – as expected – since he officially took over on January 1. Despite City’s large England contingent - albeit one less now Kyle Walker is leaving – only Phil Foden is in the starting line-up.
He has made a timely return to form. Jack Grealish, John Stones and Rico Lewis are among the substitutes. Tuchel, of course, is a former Paris Saint-Germain head coach and took them as close as they have to winning the Champions League, losing the final to Bayern Munich – a club he also went on to coach and where Barry was also his assistant – in the Covid-hit 2019-20 campaign.
07:48 PM GMT
Pep Guardiola speaks before the game
On the game:
“Of course it’s important, it’s the last two games in this format and we have to take points to qualify. It will be very good, really good.”
Confidence after improving run of form and players hitting their stride:
“Hopefully but depend on all of us, all the players not just Phil or Kevin. If we do many good things against a top side... a difficult match you have to perform our best to get the result.”
No Doku:
“He was injured. Otherwise he would have travelled. It was the last minute, he felt something and unfortunately can be here.”
07:35 PM GMT
Pep has a slight shuffle of his cards
Pep Guardiola has made changes to his attacking players supporting Erling Haaland in attack at the Parc des Princes. From the team that put six goals past Ipswich, Savinho and Bernardo Silva have come into the starting line-up at the expense of Ilkay Gundogan and Jeremy Doku.
07:32 PM GMT
The subplot
Tonight’s clash pits the two moneybags clubs whose owners hail from the Gulf. The Qataris would hate to lose the ‘El Cashico’ to the men from Abu Dhabi...
Here’s Oliver Brown on the subplot to this evening’s match.
READ: Manchester City and PSG’s battle for Champions League survival pits Abu Dhabi against Qatar
07:13 PM GMT
There’s a reason the song doesn’t go...
... ‘I love Paris in wintertime’ that’s because it’s sooooooooooooooo much nicer in springtime as tonight illustrates. It’s currently filthy in the French capital, cold and very wet.
📌 Parc des Princes, París 🏟️🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/gUWk89OkzP
— Manchester City (@ManCityES) January 22, 2025
07:09 PM GMT
Who got one of these when they were young...
...as a birthday present? The trusty, and still in use, football pennant.
07:05 PM GMT
Neither side can afford to lose tonight
That would leave them in serious danger of early elimination from Europe’s top competition. Not exactly what both sets of owners would have envisioned when the new format came into existence (wasn’t it supposed to be easier for the ‘BIG’ clubs?!).
06:53 PM GMT
The teams are in...
PSG
Starting XI: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Neves, Fabian, Lee, Doue, Barcola
Substitutes: Safonov, Tenas, Kimpembe, Goncalo Ramos, Dembele, Asensio, Hernandez, Mayulu, Zaire Emery, Lucas Beraldo, Zague, Tape
Man City
Starting XI: Ederson, Matheus Luiz, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Silva, Kovacic, Foden, De Bruyne, Savio, Haaland
Subtitutes: Ortega, Carson, Stones, Grealish, Gundogan, Wright, Alleyne, O’Reilly, Lewis, McAtee
06:49 PM GMT
Guardiola on the game this evening
“Of course it is a really important game for us and for PSG, but we still have another game against Bruges at home. I don’t know how many points we will need. Six points will be mathematically [sure], but maybe four, maybe three. But if we don’t qualify we have to accept we were not good enough.”
06:40 PM GMT
Good evening
Welcome to our live coverage for the Champions League (league stage) game between Paris St-Germain and Manchester City, from the Parc des Princes. You probably would have got fairly long odds at the start of the tournament for these two sides to be battling to make it through to the next stage of the competition but that is where we are. Both sides could do with a win.
Manchester City sit 24th, the last of the spots to qualify for the next round with eight points after six games and without a win in three. PSG are two places below them in 26th with seven points, though they did win their most recent game to move them up the table.
It is fair to say that Manchester City’s form has improved a fair bit since their miserable run at the end of last year. Since defeat by Aston Villa in the Premier League on December 21, City are unbeaten in their most recent six games in all competitions, winning four and drawing two.
Perhaps not quite the form they would hope for (Brentford came back from two-nil down to draw last week) but they have banged in 23 goals in that time courtesy of a 4-1 win against West Ham, and 8-0 and 6-0 wins against Salford City and Ipswich respectively. That is more like the Manchester City we know.
Whilst PSG’s European form has been poor, their domestic form remains as good as ever as they remain on course to win a fourth Ligue 1 title in a row and their 11th in 13 seasons. They are unbeaten over 18 games so far with 14 wins, four draws and no losses, sitting nine points ahead of Marseille.
What has gone wrong in Europe? Well, in short, nearly everything that occurred between their opening game victory against Girona and their most recent win against Salzburg in December. In fairness, losses to Atletico Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are hardly cause for extreme panic but it does leave them in the elimination zone. A defeat to City tonight would perhaps ramp up the panic in Paris, though.
