It was pandemonium in the rain in the French capitol as Paris Saint-Germain overcame a two-goal deficit to keep control of their Champions League hopes with a 4-2 victory over Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's men, on the other hand, could be at risk of UCL elimination come next week.
Despite PSG being the stronger team in the first half, they saw an Achraf Hakimi goal ruled out due to offside but that wouldn't stop Luis Enrique from getting his attack going. Halftime introductions of Ousmane Dembele and Jack Grealish proved to be critical with Grealish scoring and helping set up Erling Haaland and Dembele also scoring for PSG.
But it was the Joao Neves game in Paris. The 20-year-old midfielder had a diving header to beat Ederson at his near post securing all three points for the Parisian club and it also puts City on notice. Currently, City are 25th as the first team out of the knockout stage while PSG are 22nd. Both teams have been in the round of 16 each year since 2013 but if things don't go their way on the final day of action on Jan. 29, the possibility of missing out is real. PSG will travel to face VfB Stuttgart while City will host Club Brugge to close things out.
Six goals in the second half of play as that was a match to remember. Both teams still have chances to advance into the knockout phase of play but City are now on the outside looking in after failing to take their chances on Wednesday.
After the ball came off of a Manchester City defender, Ramos was able to get his goal this time after it was initially judged to be offside. It's a massive goal for PSG that pushes them to 22nd in the league phase table on goal difference while also putting this match out of reach.
PSG is looking to pass this one out as Ramos had a big chance to score an insurance goal. There's still time for City to hit back but the clock is not on their side.
An unlikely header from Joao Neves as he has helped PSG complete the comeback in the match. This is a massive one as the midfielder wasn't tracked and Ederson was flat footed unable to save it while being beaten at his near post. One to forget for City. This pushes PSG to 22nd in the table while City sits 25th on the outside looking in.
Dembele has now smashed the crossbar. We've already had four goals in 10 minutes as each time either team goes forward it feels like it can end in a goal. The star attackers are shining as the pressure rises in the clash.
PSG has answered back from conceding two goals by scoring two goals in an absolutely insane span of time. After smashing the post, Barcola got a great hit onto the rebound before Ederson could regain composure to save it.
Well now, after the first half lacked goals, the second half is making up for it in droves. Dembele also scores as the substitutes have changes the match in a big way.
Nunes made his way forward with a strong run and it's Grealish who is involved again playing a pass that fell to Erling Haaland and we're off and running. This pushes City to 18th in the table while PSG are down to 26th...
Talk about an instant impact as Jack Grealish finds the back off the net after the ball rebounds to him in the box. It's a massive momentum shift in this match after PSG was the better team in the first half of play. Erling Haaland was in a tight position but this one stands.
Lee is off and Ousmane Dembele is on for PSG which adds a different look to the attack. Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis have entered for Manchester City to replace Ruben Dias and Savinho. The chess match is on in Paris.
THe teams are getting ready for the second half of the match. Both have had their chances but with a goal before the half being ruled out by just a kneecap, it's a tough one to stomach. City could turn this around with just a chance.
It should be of no suprise that PSG was the first team to put the ball in the back of the net as Joao Neves got the run started and Achraf Hakimi finished it with a lovely late run into the box. It was quite a strike but it was called back due to a tight offside in the build up.
The Brazillian has been bright for City so far putting two shots on target but the rest of the attack needs to get on the front foot to join him. City are looking better as the first half comes to a close but they won't feel great without scoring.
PSG thought they would've had a goal but Ruben Dias was on the line to clear it at the last moment. Anywhere else and Fabian Ruiz would've had the opening goal of the match so this is quite a warning sign for City's defensive line who are being pushed deeper and deeper by the minute by PSG's pressure.
Haaland got a header on target but it still wasn't enough to truly test PSG. It has been a slow start with each team having two shots on target apiece but they've been of the tame variety despite the magnitude of the clash. Currently, the live table has City 24th and PSG 25th.
It has been all PSG as of late but City showed that they can create too with Savinho and De Bruyne both testing Donnarumma in net. This is beginning to escalate from both teams feeling each other out into a match.
It's PSG with the first minor chan of the game disposessing city and being able to put a cross into the box. Both teams are pushing early so this could see a quick goal depending on what mistakes happen.
We've got quite a match on the horizon in the rain in Paris.
This is a huge game for both sides but one which PSG simply cannot afford to not win, and although a draw would not be a huge surprise, City are the ones who will likely survive a potential loss. Pick: PSG 2, City 1.
But is this the biggest in their history?
Jonathan Johnson takes a. look at some of the biggest meetings in their history.
Young striker Desire Doue will have a large role in leading the line.
PSG starters: Donnarumma, Mendes, Pacho, Marquinos, Hakimi, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Lee, Doue, Barcola
No major surprises from Manchester City as they release their XI for the match.
Manchester City starters: Ederson, Nunes, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Silva, Savinho, De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland
Manchester City team news
Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi have both been doubts although Ousmane Dembele should return to the XI. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is not available for the final league phase games as he wasn't with the club when registration took place before the competition began, and that means that the in-form Bradley Barcola can lay down the gauntlet to his new positional rival. Luis Enrique could go with Goncalo Ramos or Desire Doue up top.
Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi have both been doubts although Ousmane Dembele should return to the XI. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is not available for the final league phase games as he wasn't with the club when registration took place before the competition began, and that means that the in-form Bradley Barcola can lay down the gauntlet to his new positional rival. Luis Enrique could go with Goncalo Ramos or Desire Doue up top.
PSG are not currently in a top 24 spot and they arguably need four points from City and Stuttgart to advance to at least the playoffs. A loss here would take their fate out of their hands before that trip to Germany. City had lost just three times away in Europe across 28 games but have now lost consecutive UCL games for the first time since 2011-12 after being beaten by Sporting and Juventus. The Citizens are in playoff place as things stand but a win could jeopardize that as they are only a point above PSG.
The stakes couldn't be much higher in this match between Manchester City and PSG and that's the beauty of the new Champions League format. In previous years, it'd be highly unlikely that they'd even face each other until the knockout stages of the tournament and if they did meet during the group stage, a draw would ensure that the duo would both advance to the round of 16. But now it's not the case when there's a very real possibility that both teams could miss out on the knockout stages which is why everything will be left on the pitch today in Paris.
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