Manchester City created a host of chances at the Parc Des Princes but failed to convert them, as PSG won the match 2-0.
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Despite losing their second group match in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola was pleased with Manchester City’s performance against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. However, he felt that missed opportunities cost his side three points. City created a host of chances at the Parc Des Princes but failed to convert them, as PSG won the match 2-0. Idrissa Gueye’s early goal and an exquisite second-half strike from Lionel Messi helped the hosts register crucial three points. The outcome could have been very different had Bernardo Silva not sent a glorious chance against the crossbar with the score at 1-0. Add to that, PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma enjoyed a fine day in between the posts, denying the visitors from scoring.
“I think we made a really good game, quite similar to Stamford Bridge,” he explained at his post-match press conference. “Maybe we were a little less aggressive in our first actions for the quality of the players that we have, but in general it was a fantastic game. We did everything, I didn’t see the stats but I think we created enough chances to score.
“Donnarumma was fantastic. The quality of the players they have, we minimised for our game Neymar and Messi being in contact with the ball and did not let Mbappe run in behind but at the end 2-0, last ten minutes we were more desperate with less control. The quality they have everyone knows it, but I think we did a really good game with personality, but we should’ve scored goals and we didn’t do it and that’s why we lost the game.”
With City pushing for an equaliser in the second half, Messi’s moment of brilliance put the game beyond any doubt for the home side. “We dealt with PSG first of all,” he added.
“We know it’s impossible to control Leo all 90 minutes. Of course, he came back from some injuries, which is why he needed a bit of rhythm but we know him quite well and when he can run and be close to the ball he’s unstoppable. The way we have done is minimise this as much as possible and create the chances that we could create. We arrived here and played our game.
“They defended deep with seven players, and it’s always the risk if you lose the ball and they can make one pass with Verratti who is an exceptional player and they make contact with Neymar or Messi and run it’s always difficult.”
Portuguese centre-back Ruben Dias has admitted that City had enough chances to get all three points against Paris Saint Germain. “Definitely a frustrating night, we were there, we created chances,” he said.
“But at the end, a game between two top teams like this will be decided on details. Today it was their turn. Essentially we have to do better, because we are who we are. We can always do better when we don’t win. It’s always a 50-50 game, especially against the opponents we playing. They also know we are dangerous.
“We had our chances. Many times to change games like this you have to score. On that clear chances, if we were able to do it, things might have changed a lot. We performed, knowing that we did what we do and we did our best.”
