Manchester City is looking at progressing to its first ever Champions League final after the club came from behind to defeat Paris Saint Germain in the first leg semifinal at the Parc de Princes on Wednesday.
Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick 19 minutes from time helped Manchester City make a stunning comeback with a 2-1 victory.
PSG indubitably dominated the match in the first half, with captain Marquinhos netting the ball off Angel di Maria’s corner for an early lead—15 minutes into the game. With Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in their elements, PSG looked focused but it all changed as the game progressed in the second half.
Kevin De Bruyne’s cross found its way into the far corner in the 64th minute as City levelled the score. It was only a matter of minutes before Mahrez’s strike found home to turn the tide in favour of the Pep Guardiola side.
“They’re a team who are able to do whatever they want because they have the quality, so that’s why you play a bit cautious. You cannot win the qualification in the first leg, but you can lose it in the first leg,” Guardiola said.
“We were more aggressive in our game. In the first 45 minutes we played not to lose the ball but with no intention to break the lines.
“The second half was better in every way, our football was better,” he added.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men later in the second half when Idrissa Guye was sent off for a blatant foul on Ilkay Gundogan.
PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said the loss was “really painful” and the side is disappointed with the first leg result.
“We deserved the lead, but in the second half they were better than us. Physically they were a little bit more aggressive, it was difficult for us to recover the ball,” Pochettino said.
“We’re very disappointed with the two goals. It’s difficult to accept that this happened in the semifinal, it’s really painful,” he added.
The Premier League table toppers carry the advantage going into the second leg next week, but Guardiola expects City to be at the top of their game again when they lock horns with PSG on May 4.
(With inputs from agencies)