Manchester City came away from the French capital with two away goals as they held Paris St.Germain to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling encounter at the Parc de Princes in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
In their first ever meeting in the European top-flight, the visitors grabbed the lead, first through Kevin De Bruyne, only for a defending gaffe from Fernando to allow Zlatan Ibrahimovic to restore parity just 5 minutes later. Post the break, PSG went ahead for the first time in the game when Rabiot tapped home from close range during a corner, but City ensured they earn a share of the spoils when Fernandinho made the most of a defensive mess from the Parisians.
Despite the draw, Manchester City host the second leg in driving seat due to the two away goals secured here, leaving PSG with a lot of work to do in Manchester next week. Here are the major talking points from the game.
1. There ain’t no one like De Bruyne
Belgian wizard Kevin De Bruyne was on target for the visitors once again to remind them what they were missing in the last 2 months. The former Wolfsburg man returned from his long injury lay-off just last week, and has already started firing at all cylinders.
His presence today was a major factor in City’s assured performance and also put them ahead with a classy finish. De Bruyne brought more flow and directness into City’s attack and for not once did they miss their talismanic striker Sergio Aguero.
The £54million acquisition has now scored 2 superb goals in 2 appearances since his return, and is certainly ready to share the goal-scoring burden with Aguero.
2. City’s defence lets them down
Like it has been the case all season, without Vincent Kompany, Manchester City’s defence appeared vulnerable and too prone to an invasion. Despite some quality showings from the visitors, their putrid defending almost cost them the game and could have indeed, left Paris defeated.
Firstly, Mangala’s silly tackle inside the box was granted with a reprieve when he could’ve got sent off rather, but there was no forgiving Sagna’s fouling of David Luiz that culminated into a penalty. Although Hart did well to keep Zlatan at bay, Fernando’s poor back pass allowed the Swede to make amends and bring the match on level terms.
The Skyblues may have escaped with a draw to keep the tie on knife’s edge, but without their skipper at the heart of the defence, they were shambolic.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – A rooster one day, a feather duster the next
Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been plundering goals for the French champions left, right and centre in one of his most prolific seasons, but wasn’t at his best against Manchester City. The 36-year old forward had a hard time in breaking the city defence and squandered a few good opportunities.
The first of it came in the form of a penalty, which Joe Hart did well to keep out and keep the score deadlocked at 0-0, and then blasted a shot well over the bar after going one-on-one with the City custodian again.
However, on the flip side, the towering striker did manage to get on the scoresheet for his 48th strike in Europe. Under pressure, Fernando’s poor back pass was deflected off Zlatan straight into an empty net, allowing him to equalise. It may be one of the easiest goals he’s ever scored, but it showed his endeavour.
4. Rabiot settles some scores with his old club
Adrien Rabiot tucked away a corner in the second half to put the hosts 2-1 ahead, but more importantly, stung City for their past mistake.
The Frenchman was once a Manchester City player, plying his trade in the City academy in 2008. However, just 6 months later, was brought back to France, with his family alleging that City did not heed to his best interests.
8 years later, Rabiot gained redemption against Manchester City after scoring the second goal for PSG and also reminded them what they are missing in the midfield.
5. Tie still wide open
The ‘El Cashico’, as it was named by the European tabloids, lived up to it’s billing to produce an enthralling affair in the French capital, however, it failed to produce a winner as PSG and Manchester City settled for a share of the spoils in the end, leaving the tie wide open heading into the second leg in 6 days’ time.
Whilst City’s 2 away goals will certainly give them the psychological advantage, their porous defence coupled with PSG’s improved record in England doesn’t rule the Ligue 1 giants out either.
Both teams are vying for a first-ever semi-final spot in the Champions League, and with so much at stake, the second leg promises to be an end-to-end affair as well.
