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PSG v Man City Review

The game that had been dubbed El Cashico by the bookmakers, paid-out in terms of entertainment on the pitch. A lively an open quarter final first leg finished 2-2 between Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City last night.

The Abu-Dhabi and Qatar funded super-rich elite of football met at the Parc de Princes to play a Champions League knock-out match that lived up to it’s billing.
Kevin De Bruyne was restored to the line-up, and Manchester City made the early running with a vibrant beginning to the tie. The Belgian playmaker was at the heart of all City’s good moves in the opening exchanges, a left-foot drive went whistling over Kevin Trapp’s crossbar in the 2nd minute.

PSG’s impressive and powerful midfield then regained control of the football, and kept it for most of the game, 64% possession in total. The understanding and slick passing between Rabiot, Matuidi and Motta began to make City look outnumbered in the middle. After one potential penalty was waved away by Serbian referee Milorad Mazic, a second one was given as David Luiz tumbled in the box on 14 minutes. Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck the spot-kick hard and low but Joe Hart got down spectacularly to pull off a memorable save. Zlatan was through again a moment later after an incisive ball from Motta, but the giant Swede blazed over the bar.

Then a good 25 minute spell of dominance from PSG was punctured by a Manchester City counter attack after the excellent Matuidi lost possession in the centre circle. Fernandinho surged forward before releasing De Bruyne to his right, the Belgian made no mistake with a crisp finish through the legs of the on-rushing Trapp.

The game had the feel of the last ten minutes of extra-time in a 2nd leg encounter, it was end to end, attacking football from both teams, with City playing more on the counter, but only because of the brilliance of PSG. A Hart-breaking (excuse that) and inexplicable moment then for City, as Joe Hart played the ball short to Fernando, who then panicked and booted it against Ibrahimovic, and the ball cannoned into the open goal with Hart stranded and out of position. All City’s good work was undone and the sides went in level at the break.

The second half was less eventful but still made for a riveting watch. Blaise Matudi’s confidence had been shaken after that mistake for City’s goal, and things got worse for him when he was yellow-carded on 48 mins for a trip on Otamendi. The influential midfielder will now miss the 2nd leg at Eastlands.

Pellegrini’s side were on the back foot in the second period and it was no surprise when PSG finally scored on 59 mins after a great flick header from a corner from Cavani which was eventually turned in by home-grown Parisian youth product, Rabiot. It felt like the tide had turned and Laurent Blanc’s men seemed unassailable at that point, but City kept fighting and equalised 13 mins later to give themselves an excellent chance of reaching the semi-final.
Fernandinho punished a mistake from Aurier and Silva to dribble the ball over the line and keep this fascinating match alive.

If Pellegrini can keep Kevin De Bruyne fit then this City side have the ability to win this competition, they will be buoyed by the fact that 79.4% of teams that draw 2-2 in away 1st legs then go on to progress to the next stage.

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