Paris Saint-Germain piled further misery on Manchester City on Wednesday, handing the English champions a 4-2 defeat at the Etihad Stadium in their first home game since an independent commission found the club guilty of widespread breaches of Premier League financial rules.
The reigning European champions delivered a stunning attacking display, scoring three times in the opening 35 minutes through Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha to leave City reeling.
City mounted a second-half fightback, with Erling Haaland scoring twice, but Maghnes Akliouche’s goal restored PSG’s three-goal advantage and ultimately proved decisive in a match that underlined the French side’s growing dominance in Europe.
Manchester City now face the prospect of severe sanctions unless they successfully appeal the commission’s ruling, which found the club guilty on more than 100 charges relating to alleged financial misconduct.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding their future, City had responded positively on the pitch in recent days, beating Liverpool 3-0 on Sunday to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League. However, PSG exposed their defensive vulnerabilities and demonstrated why they remain among the leading contenders for European football’s biggest prize.
Former City manager Pep Guardiola returned to the Etihad for the first time since leaving in May. He watched from the stands behind chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano, in what appeared to be a show of solidarity with the club’s embattled leadership.
City also made a pointed reference to the financial verdict before kick-off, screening an extended video celebrating landmark moments in their history, both before and after the Abu Dhabi-backed takeover in 2008 that transformed the club’s fortunes. Supporters further demonstrated their loyalty by unveiling a giant banner bearing the message: “I’m City till I die.”
However, the defiant mood in the stands was quickly overshadowed by PSG’s breathtaking first-half performance.
PSG exploit City’s defensive weaknesses
PSG manager Luis Enrique made a bold selection decision by leaving Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the bench, creating an opportunity for Doué to start on the left wing. The move paid immediate dividends as the visitors overwhelmed City with their pace, movement and clinical finishing.
Doué opened the scoring with an effort from outside the penalty area after a rapid counterattack, catching goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma out at his near post.
Just two minutes later, PSG doubled their advantage through an even more impressive attacking sequence. Doué and Dembélé exchanged an intricate one-two before Dembélé arrived at the far post to head home.
Achraf Hakimi struck the post as PSG continued to dominate, before Vitinha made it 3-0 with a powerful effort from the edge of the box.
For Donnarumma, the evening proved particularly disappointing. The Italian goalkeeper had been released by PSG coach Luis Enrique just months after helping the club secure their maiden Champions League title in 2025, but his performance against City offered little consolation.
Haaland leads City’s second-half revival
City responded after the break with a triple substitution designed to inject fresh energy into their attack. The changes improved their performance, although the deficit ultimately proved too great to overcome.
Antoine Semenyo and Enzo Fernández missed clear opportunities to reduce the arrears before Haaland headed home a cross from Iliman Ndiaye to give the hosts renewed hope.
However, PSG struck back when Donnarumma managed to get a hand to Akliouche’s effort, only for the ball to loop into the air and spin back into the net, restoring the visitors’ three-goal cushion.
City refused to surrender. Nuno Mendes produced a crucial goal-line clearance to deny the hosts, while Haaland struck the crossbar before finding the net for a second time to narrow the scoreline to 4-2.
Donnarumma subsequently saved a late penalty from Ferran Torres, preventing City from mounting an even more dramatic comeback and denying PSG a fifth goal.
PSG seize the spotlight as City face uncertainty
The result highlighted the contrasting fortunes of two of European football’s most powerful state-backed projects.
While Manchester City continue to contend with the implications of their financial case, PSG appear increasingly capable of asserting themselves at the highest level of European competition.
For City, the defeat was a sporting setback compounded by uncertainty over the club’s long-term future and the potential consequences of the financial ruling. The case has also intensified scrutiny of the financial foundations underpinning their success over the past 15 years.
PSG, meanwhile, left Manchester with a statement victory, demonstrating the attacking quality and composure required to compete for the Champions League crown.
AFP
