Manchester City came from behind to see Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling outscore Paris Saint Germain’s Kylian Mbappe. The 2-1 win against the French giants have secured a top spot for the Citizens.
This will be City’s ninth successive season in the Champions League knockouts. On the other hand, Paris Saint Germain have also qualified despite the defeat as RB Leipzig thump Clubbe Brugge in a 5-0 defeat.
It was surely a statement win for Manchester City as they came out on top against a star-studded PSG side. Their Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola also made it obvious that they mean business this season in the Champions League.
“Of course, PSG – what a team, what players, what can I say? We tried to keep these players far away from our goal. When they are close to your goal they can do anything, ” Guardiola stated.
“Except for five minutes after we conceded, when they [went for the] knockout on the counter-attack but couldn’t finish, we made a really top performance, ” he continued.
The Spanish tactician was very clear that they will now focus on the Premier League and return to the Champions League in February with renewed passion and hunger to win the elusive trophy for the first time in their club’s history. “Now we will focus on the Premier League and try to arrive in February in the best condition possible to go to the quarter-finals, ” Guardiola added.
The reigning Premier League champions were without some of their top creative players in midfield which included Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden. The surprise exclusion from this game saw Guardiola rely on Elsandr ZInchenko who is normally slotted in as a left-back was played in his natural position- central attacking midfielder.
After the match, Guardiola was impressed with the Ukrainian midfielder and his entire team’s performance. He wishes to sustain this level of performance in all competitions.
“We know each other quite well and they know what they have to do,” Guardiola said.
“They are smart enough. Oleks (Zinchenko) has not played this position much but plays there for Ukraine. We played really well and the way we are performing is really good. People enjoy watching us and we are enjoying playing.
“Hopefully we can sustain this as long as possible, ” he concluded.
