Champions League

PSG 1-2 Man City Player Ratings: Di Maria unlucky, De Bruyne brilliant

Manchester City took a big step toward reaching the Champions League final as they came from behind to win in Paris.

 
9:53pm on Wednesday 28th April 2021
By
David Lynch

Manchester City took a step toward the Champions League final as they beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the first leg of the sides' semi-final tie.

A Marquinhos header separated the teams at the end of a first half the hosts dominated, but City came on strong in the second, turning the game on its head through Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez.

Idrissa Gana Gueye's late red card then made it easy for Pep Guardiola's men to see out an important win that makes them favourites to progress to the competition's showpiece fixture.

PSG v Man City: Player Ratings and Match Statistics

So which players stood out most?

✔️ Angel Di Maria: 7.6

The key figure in a dominant first half from PSG, former Manchester United winger Di Maria was absolutely everywhere.

Not only did he set up the opening goal with a wicked corner delivery, he also continually showed a desire to chase back and make things difficult for City's forwards.

The Argentine arguably did not deserve to end up on the losing side.

Keylor Navas: 6.2

PSG were on the back foot from the start of the second half, but it was a poor Navas mistake that started the turnaround.

Only the Costa Rican will know what he was thinking in not shifting across his goal as Kevin De Bruyne's cross floated toward the far corner - particularly as John Stones would only have poked the ball in that direction had he reached it.

He also didn't cover himself in glory for the second, although a weak wall should shoulder most the blame.

⭐️ Kevin De Bruyne: 7.6

Even as City struggled in the opening 45 minutes, De Bruyne was the only man who looked capable of producing anything.

And so it was no surprise to see his teasing, inswinging cross start the comeback that could send City to the Champions League final.

The Belgian is utterly crucial to his team's hopes of going on to win this competition.

PSG v Man City: Player Ratings and Match Statistics

Latest news

Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 30/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the Premier League tie between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace on Saturday, March 30th 2024.

  • 12 minutes

Swindon Town vs Notts County Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the upcoming EFL League Two contest between Swindon Town and Notts County on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 24 minutes

MK Dons vs Walsall Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the EFL League Two matchup between MK Dons and Walsall on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 38 minutes

Forest Green vs Stockport Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the upcoming EFL League Two game between Forest Green and Stockport on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 49 minutes

Wrexham vs Mansfield Town Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the upcoming EFL League Two match between Wrexham and Mansfield on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 2 hours

Salford City vs Sutton United Predictions: Team to Win, Form, News and more 29/03/2024

Here are our predictions for the EFL League Two match between Salford City and Sutton United on Friday, March 29th 2024.

  • 2 hours

Most read