PSG-Manchester City: we reviewed the semi-finals

It was yesterday.

In the semifinals, on April 28 and May 4, 2021, Manchester City eliminated PSG from the race for victory in the Champions League after two wins at the Parc des Princes (2-1) then at the Etihad Stadium (2- 0).

Before the big reunion, this Tuesday evening, in the group stage of the C1, we reviewed these meetings.

In particular the outward journey where everything changed in five minutes.

The first hour for Paris

Uncertain until the last moment, Marquinhos started the semi-final to go to central defense.

For Abdou Diallo, the timing is too short and Mauricio Pochettino opts for Mitchel Bakker as left side.

For the rest, a great classic with a Marco Verratti in the axial midfield behind the trio Angel Di Maria, Kylian Mbappé, Neymar.

And the PSG starts with its foot to the ground.

Idrissa Gueye's activity and accuracy allow a whole team to press the opposing midfielder.

For an hour, Paris dominates its opponent in printing and numbers: 9 shots, including 7 in the area, 89% of successful passes and 46% of possession.

The goal of Marquinhos (15th), on a corner from Di Maria, logically rewards the Parisians who do not stop supporting.

The blow of the blackout

Suddenly, everything changes. In the 57th minute of play, Di Maria shoots for the last time on goal in favor of PSG after a return from the locker room still active. And City gradually regains control of the game against a Paris which seems to lose the thread, for lack of energy. "We did not have this necessary energy in the second," Pochettino admitted later. Installed in the Parisian camp, Kevin De Bruyne is served 30 meters from the goal, looks up and addresses a fleeing parabolic center. Nobody cuts the trajectory and City picks up the score (64th). PSG takes a blow to the head and no longer recovers a ball. Gueye mows down Phil Foden in front of his surface. Riyad Mahrez takes care of the free kick and takes advantage of a space left by a crumbly wall. 2-1 for City (71st). Physically exhausted, Pochettino's team collapsed. Annoyance,Gueye even ended up being excluded after a big foul on Gündogan (79th).

An impossible feat

No Gueye (suspended), nor Kylian Mbappé (calf injury), the solutions are dwindling for Pochettino. Herrera and Icardi are the lucky ones. And for ten minutes, the illusion exists. But on City's first foray into the Parisian camp, the counter shot from De Bruyne arrives at the feet of Mahrez who once again deceives Navas (11th). The PSG is cooled on the Mancunian lawn covered with hail. But Parisians believe it. On a cross from Neymar, Marquinhos, again, finds the crossbar (16th). In the game, the domination is rather Parisian but the reality is there: no shot on target in 90 minutes. They are punished by a new cons of City, on which the poor Florenzi is totally lost. 2-0, again signed Mahrez (63rd). Already physically exhausted, the red and blue players are dropped by Di Maria,excluded for a sole on De Bruyne (69th). The entries of Kean and Draxler bring nothing and the semi-final is folded. This Tuesday, Paris will have to know how to suffer once again but especially to hold on to the length. The consequences will not be the same anyway. But there is a (small) revenge to be taken.