Last Time In Paris – A Look Back At Manchester City’s last Meeting With PSG

As has been well-documented, Wednesday’s Champions League match at PSG will be only the second time Manchester City have appeared in the semi-final of the competition. The last time was in 2016, when the blues lost 1-0 on aggregate to Real Madrid, however to reach the last four stage, the blues had to overcome PSG at the quarter final stage.

Manuel Pellegrini took his blues side to Paris on 6^th April 2016, looking to take City into the semi-final for the first time and add the Champions League trophy to the League Cup in an otherwise dismal season.

The match was built up by the media as a battle of the ‘money men,’ a reference to both clubs being owned by wealthy middle eastern businessmen who had spent close to £1b between them in recent years, however it was considered by some not to have lived up to the hype.

But, as it would turn out, it was a near perfect result for the blues, who scored two crucial away goals that gave them a huge advantage in the home leg. City were fortunate not to concede a goal after just 13 minutes when Bacary Sagna challenged David Luiz in the area was penalised by the referee who pointed to the spot. Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up and saw his spot kick saved by Joe Hart in the City goal.

Hart was called into action again two minutes later to stop an Ibrahimovic header and missed another chance with only Joe Hart to beat. Thos misses inspired City and the blues took the lead on 38 minutes. Fernandinho’s driving run forward ended with a pass to Kevin de Bruyne in space on the right, and the Belgian fired past the keeper to give City the crucial away goal.

The lead didn’t last long and PSG were level within three minutes. Fernando received a goal kick from Hart, and his lazy attempt at a ball forward deflected off Ibrahimovic and past Hart into the back of the City net.

Just before the hour mark, PSG took the lead. Angel di Maria’s corner was met by Edinson Cavani, whose header was parried by Hart but only into the path of Adrien Rabiot, who hammered home. The hosts went in search of a third goal, but it was City who would score next.

A cross from the City right wasn’t dealt with by the PSG defence and Fernandinho’s effort was deflected home off the defender to draw City level and send them home as strong favourites to progress into the next round.

Final Score: PSG 2-2 Manchester City