By Our Reporter
Paris Saint-Germain underlined their status as Europe’s leading club side on Wednesday night after defeating Manchester City 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium in a UEFA Champions League encounter.
The defending champions produced a devastating first-half display, scoring three goals in 19 minutes before holding off City’s second-half fightback to secure an impressive victory.
Goals from Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha gave the French champions a commanding 3-0 lead at the break, leaving Enzo Maresca’s side with a mountain to climb.
City improved after the interval following three substitutions by Maresca, with Erling Haaland scoring twice to revive hopes of a comeback. However, Maghnes Akliouche restored PSG’s two-goal advantage, while goalkeeper Matvei Safonov denied Haaland a hat-trick and Gianluigi Donnarumma saved a late penalty from Ferran Torres.
The defeat ended City’s run of eight consecutive victories under Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola last summer.
Guardiola, who returned to the Etihad for the first time since ending his decade-long spell as City manager in May, watched the encounter as supporters rallied behind the club following the publication of an independent commission’s guilty verdict in its Premier League financial irregularities case.
Despite the emotional reception for their former manager, City struggled to cope with PSG’s pace, movement and attacking precision.
Doué opened the scoring in the 13th minute, cutting inside from the left before beating Donnarumma at his near post. Two minutes later, Dembélé doubled the advantage with a close-range header after exchanging passes with Doué.
PSG continued to dominate, with Achraf Hakimi hitting the post before Vitinha extended the visitors’ lead in the 32nd minute with a powerful finish from Warren Zaïre-Emery’s lay-off.
Maresca responded by making three substitutions at half-time, and the changes immediately improved City’s attacking threat.
One of the substitutes, Iliman Ndiaye, provided the cross that allowed Haaland to head home City’s first goal. The Norwegian subsequently set a new club record by becoming Manchester City’s leading Champions League goalscorer, with 38 goals in 41 appearances.
PSG, however, restored their three-goal cushion when Akliouche’s long-range effort slipped beyond Donnarumma after an awkward bounce.
City refused to surrender, with Enzo Fernández and Haaland both striking the woodwork before the latter scored his second goal in the 75th minute, turning in a pass from Ayyoub Bouaddi.
The hosts continued to push for another goal, but Safonov denied Haaland a third before Donnarumma saved Torres’ penalty in stoppage time to preserve PSG’s two-goal advantage.
### PSG strengthen claim as Europe’s best
The victory reinforced PSG’s growing reputation as the team to beat in the Champions League as they pursue a third consecutive title.
Under Luis Enrique, the French side have combined attacking flair with relentless pressing, tactical discipline and contributions from across the squad.
Their success has also intensified comparisons between Enrique and Guardiola, both of whom have won three Champions League titles and guided Barcelona to a continental treble.
However, Enrique has the opportunity to move ahead of Guardiola in European triumphs if PSG retain their crown this season, a feat that would make them the first team in the Champions League era to win three successive titles.
PSG’s recent record against English opposition has further strengthened their credentials. Their victory over City marked their 11th win in 16 matches against Premier League clubs since the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
For City, the result exposed defensive weaknesses, particularly at right-back, where Abdukodir Khusanov struggled to contain Doué before Matheus Nunes replaced him at half-time.
Although the defeat does not rule out a successful European campaign, it serves as a warning that City must improve defensively and become more consistent against elite opposition if they hope to challenge for the trophy.
With the season still in its early stages, Maresca has time to address those shortcomings. But PSG’s commanding performance at the Etihad demonstrated the standard City must reach to compete with Europe’s reigning champions.