Man City came from a goal down to defeat their visitors PSG in the Champions League semi-final tie in Paris.
The English side were trailing in all aspects in the first half but a second half turnaround ensured that they took a huge advantage back home for the second leg.
PSG started the game as the much brighter side, keeping the ball and creating a lot of chances. Neymar Jr in particular, ran the show for the hosts but not taking advantage of their chances.
At the 15th minute, their efforts were rewarded. Di Maria’s corner was headed home by Marquinhos to give the hosts the lead.
PSG continued to be a threat at set-pieces but their visitors were able to repel their efforts.
Just before the interval, an interception in midfield by City found Gundogan in the box. The German laid a pass to Foden who found himself with acres of space but his strike was parried away by Keylor Navas.
The save ensured that the hosts went into the break with the lead.
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In the second half, Man City regained more control of the ball, putting pressure on PSG but struggled to create many chances despite the possession.
City captain, Kevin De Bruyne saw his overhead kick drift just over the bar after a lobbed pass by Riyad Mahrez. It was clear City were inching towards an equaliser.
With a quarter of the match left to play, out of nothing really, De Bruyne whipped a cross into the penalty box in hopes of finding a teammate but the ball went all the way in.
It was a deserved equaliser given the way the visitors had been playing in the second half.
City were not done yet though as Pep Guardiola’s side soon grabbed a second via Mahrez through a freekick close to the penalty area.
The closing stages was not without drama as PSG’s Idrissa Gueye was sent off for a nasty foul on Gundogan.
Despite a man up, the visitors couldn’t exploit their advantage to further extend their lead as it ended 2-1.
Manchester City will now take a goal advantage and two crucial away goals back to the Etihad for the second leg next week.
“At the break, we didn’t change much. We just asked the guys to play football, to do it with personality. If we lose, we must at least try and be ourselves!” Pep Guardiola said of his side’s comeback win.
“I was happy that in the locker room afterwards, the players were so calm. No cheering, just calm, because we know anything can happen in the second leg.”
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Reacting to his side’s loss, Mauricio Pochettino admitted City were better in the second half.
“The two different half, first half we did well. Was difficult to dominate a team like City. We create chances. We deserved to go to the dressing room with an advantage.
“Second half they deserved it, the goals were two accidents. They dominated the second half and created more than us. One half for each,” he said.
When asked if his side could turn the tie around in Manchester, he responded saying:
“In football, you need to believe, go there in six days and do the same, approach the game like today, win score goals.”
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