Highlights:
- Ligue 1 giants, Paris Saint-Germain were handed a defeat by the English giant Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League
- Kylian Mbappe found the back of the net to give PSG a lead, but goals from Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus helped Man City clinch the win
- Presnel Kimpembe believes PSG’s loss against Man City is no reflection of the team’s talent
The Ligue 1 giants. Paris Saint-Germain, managed to take the lead in the second half of the match against Manchester City via Kylian Mbappe, however, they were soon rendered powerless by a storming comeback of the English giant.
PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe insisted that the defeat his team sustained on Wednesday (2-1) in the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Manchester City was not a reflection of the team’s real potential.
Goals from Raheem Sterling (63rd minute) and Gabriel Jesus (76th minute) led City to make a comeback and win the game at the Etihad Stadium after Kylian Mbappe (50th minute) had fired the visitors into the lead against the run of play.
Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City had the better of proceedings throughout the 90 minutes of the hame, however, PSG defender Kimpembe is convinced that there is more to come from his side.
Even though PSG have made it through to the last 16 of the European competition owing to their result of Club Brugge’s defeat to RB Leipzig, Kimpembe admitted that the defeat against a continental rival stung.
After the match, Kimpembe said, “The number one objective was to qualify, that’s for sure. But we are still disappointed by this defeat,” while talking to the reporters.
Also Read: 40 Most Interesting Football Facts Which Will Leave You Jaw Dropped
He also said, “We know we can do better. We are competitors and we don’t like defeat. What do we have to improve on? We have to kill the games earlier.
“We also have to work as a team, middle block, sliding… and that will do the trick.”
Coach Mauricio Pochettino, while speaking to RMC Sport, added, “There was no panic. They were better than us in the first half.
“When you look at the number of fouls we had, and the number they had, that’s the truth of the first half.
“There is a real difference between the two teams. We started the second half better, the team came out more. We had the chance to be in front, to open the score.
“We had to make some changes after the equalizer. The team felt it, it had difficulty to compensate, that gave the second goal.
“We will especially remember the second half, it is the face we wanted to see. I am very satisfied with all the players.
“Given the circumstances at the beginning of the season, it’s good to be qualified.”
Bernardo Silva, Manchester City’s midfielder, on the other hand, was delighted to see his team managing to clinch a spot in the knockout stage and pointed out that it was a huge feat from his team who managed to keep the star attacking trio Lionel Messi, Mbappe and Neymar relatively under wraps.
The Portugal international said, “Very happy to win the match. And to go through as winners of the group. A good performance, a good win,” while speaking with BT Sport.
He added, “It is just one game but we are through to the last 16,” the Portugal international told BT Sport.
“It was frustrating in the first half as it felt like we were controlling the game. We were pressing high, winning the ball and having possession but we weren’t scoring.
“After conceding the team had a great reaction. You are never safe. You give space to Messi, Neymar, Mbappe they can create chances.”