Manchester City

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Manchester City were "absolutely smothered" by Paris St-Germain in their 4-2 loss at Etihad Stadium, with ex-Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam highlighting their "vulnerability on transition".

Enzo Maresca's side, who are currently one of three unbeaten teams in the Premier League, fell to their first defeat since the Community Shield final on 16 August.

Speaking about the Champions League performance on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast, Sutton said: "Enzo Maresca will have learned that you can be beaten by good teams if you aren't on point yourself.

"Manchester City could have been a bit braver and a bit more composed on the night, but they seemed a bit bewitched in the first half. They do have great players and great technicians, but they were absolutely smothered by their opponents.

"The way Paris St-Germain pressed in the first half, I haven't ever seen a team press like that before. They are so ferocious with their intensity.

"We also have to factor in their record against Premier League teams because it is absolute phenomenal. I can imagine the Manchester City players saying in the dressing room: 'We lost but it was an OK performance'.

"They might even get another chance to face Paris St-Germain later on in the competition, so they can keep this performance in the memory bank. I do think that if they can be braver next time around, they can get the win."

Adam added: "Enzo Maresca mentioned before this fixture that he wasn't sure how close his team was to Paris St-Germain's level - and I think he's got his answer.

"They are too vulnerable on transition. I'm definitely sure that you cannot give Paris St-Germain's attacking players that much space, so that is a big concern from me regarding Manchester City.

"I think it's just about getting more understanding into certain partnerships at the minute in terms of who sits behind the ball, who protects the central spaces and who is going to stop the counter-attacks.

"The balance just isn't quite right at the minute."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds here

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City returned to the welcoming surroundings of home for the first time since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations awash with defiance and presenting an 'us against the world' united front.

Pep Guardiola was back at the place he decorated with success for a decade in a public show of support to embattled chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano, the Catalan a low-key presence clad in a flat cap sitting a row behind the pair.

Guardiola sometimes looked just as engaged as he did when he prowled the touchline here at Etihad Stadium, collecting the trophies now being called into question.

When Josko Gvardiol had a header cleared off the line Guardiola clutched his face in anguish. When Erling Haaland scored a goal that threatened to offer Manchester City an unlikely lifeline, he remained seated but pumped his fists into the air.

If Guardiola was a neutral observer, he would have relished a game of glorious chaos, the first half embellished by Paris St-Germain before City mounted superb momentum after the break.

As a lover of pure football with the emphasis placed firmly on attack, he may have enjoyed it anyway. The post-match discussion with Enzo Maresca would certainly have had a busy agenda.

Maresca felt he saw enough to give City hope should they meet PSG again later in the Champions League, despite the manner in which they were dismantled in the first half.

"I really like playing against PSG because they are brave," said Maresca. "We know the way they want to press. They go man-to-man and they are very dynamic on the ball. They are the best team in Europe. They play fantastic football.

"We feel sorry for the first half but I think we're quite happy now."

Read more on Guardiola's return and Man City's performance here

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Manchester City and Paris St-Germain.

Here are some of your comments:

Brian: City were star-struck for 37 minutes as PSG truly bowled them over and played champions-style football at a pace we couldn't respond too. The second half was all City and, with over 20 chances on goal, finishing was the problem. The woodwork came to the rescue for PSG. This was a night to remember for City, and they know in their hearts that they gave a victory to PSG.

Spud: Beaten by a better side. Manchester City played better in the second half, and it was a good game. I can't say any more than that.

Harry: The first half was a footballing lesson. The second half, however, was complete dominance from us. We are too reliant on Erling Haaland for goals. It's becoming clear that Antoine Semenyo is a Premier League winger and does not suit Europe. I truly believe we were the better team and probably could have drawn or won with Iliman Ndiaye and Jeremy Doku on the pitch. We've been terrible in the first half of games recently. We got violated by the best team in the world, but I like to think we'll learn from this.

Thomas: Despite the result, I'm really happy with that second-half performance. Ayyoub Bouaddi looks like some player.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after Manchester City's defeat: "It was a completely different Manchester City team in the second half and they were the team that were pressing PSG. PSG couldn't play out and I think City had more than 21 shots in the second half.

"They gave PSG a real going over. Of course they have lost the game but sport is about psychology at times and if they do meet later on in the tournament, this will be in the memory bank. The first half will be, but there will also be the confidence from the second half."

Former City midfielder Owen Hargreaves told TNT Sports: "Manchester City in the second half were unbelievable. Credit to Enzo Meresca because he realised that they needed more physicality, they needed more aggression and legs. Second half they were brilliant but that fourth goal killed them.

"[Ayyoub] Bouaddi was amazing without the ball, and that's what it is. You have to get back into the game, press and be aggressive. What a partnership he'll have [with Elliott Anderson]. Anderson was fantastic today. Steven Gerrard was probably one of the best I have ever played with, but Anderson tries to grab the game like Gerrard.

"He won't give up, and I love that in a football player. The game was almost out of sight but he keeps going, and Gerrard was the best at that. He would grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Every time you watch Elliott he gives his best."

Enzo Maresca spoke to TNT Sports after Manchester City's defeat against Paris Saint-Germain: "I think we start quite good until the first goal and then we concede the second one after one minute. That created some bad feelings. Second half, we were much better and probably deserved something more.

"It was a bit strange, to be honest. Until the first goal, we started quite good, we were in the game, then we conceded the first and then the second one. We didn't lose half-time, we adjusted something. We created enough to deserve something more.

"We adjusted a bit when we were pressing. I think we lost a bit of the balance.

"Even with 3-0 in the first half, with the amount of chances we created in the second half, we deserved more. Luis said at the end of the game that they were quite lucky today.

"You have to be clinical but not lose the balance.

On his message to the fans: "We are sorry for the first half for sure. Saturday is a Premier League game and we need to continue our run."

Did you know?

• Manchester City conceded four or more goals in a home game in any European competition for the very first time.

• City have lost four of their last seven UEFA Champions League home games – more than their previous 50 beforehand (three).

Starting XI:

Gianluigi Donnarumma: Bad night. Should have saved Doue's opener when he was slow to get down to his right. Poor distribution for PSG's third, then a save dropped in behind him for the fourth. Saved penalty but damage done. 4

Abdukodir Khusanov: Surprise selection at right-back and it did not pay off. Tough night against Doue. Switched to the centre with the game effectively lost at 3-0. 5

Ruben Dias: Struggled as much as any City defender in the face of PSG's brilliance. Off at half-time. 5

Marc Guehi: Lost Dembele when he headed in PSG's second. Not a comfortable night for anyone in City's defence. 5

Josko Gvardiol: Missed good headed chance and had another header cleared off the line but tough task defensively. 5

Elliot Anderson: Worked hard as ever but was at times over-run by PSG's magnificent midfield. 5

Enzo Fernandez: Struggled to exert any influence or authority in midfield. Missed great headed chance and struck the woodwork after the break. 5

Antoine Semenyo: Poor first half and slightly better second. 5

Rayan Cherki: Never given a chance to produce his magic – PSG simply would not allow it. Did not make the second half. 4

Jeremy Doku: Some surging runs but could not make an impact. Substituted at half-time. 5

Erling Haaland: Tireless. Scored two and could have had more. 7

Substitutes:

Matheus Nunes (on 45, Dias): Little contribution other than giving away a penalty. 5

Ayyoub Bouaddi (on 45, Cherki): Some nice touches. 5

Iliman Ndiaye (on 45, Doku): Lively and created Haaland's goal. 6

Nico O'Reilly (on 90, Fernandez)

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

How will fans from other clubs react to Manchester City this season?

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool fans were not impressed at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool have good reason to feel aggrieved, having lost as much as anyone to Manchester City over the years while the boundaries of financial probity were stretched longer than the M62 motorway that separates them.

Will all other fans feel the same fury? Some will never forgive City if they are found guilty post appeal for nearly a billion pounds worth of financial chicanery.

Others will feel the pain of lost glories they could have had.

What about the players that might have been tempted to sign for their club too had City not been splashing the cash so exorbitantly? Imagine if just Erling Haaland had gone to Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United instead of City. How different would the football world look now?

Many do not like where the money has come from but others simply admire the brilliance and beauty of City's play. David Silva is my favourite ever Premier League player, and I'm not even a City fan.

They undoubtedly raised the standard in the league and, under Pep Guardiola in particular, changed how football was played in England.

If they do feel that opprobrium raining down on them every week from every set of fans, how will it affect them?

Here is the bad news if you are not a Sky Blue: it will probably not impact them at all.

It might even affect performances positively. They will develop a siege mentality, stick together as a group and feed off the energy, even if it is negative.

Footballers are ultra-resilient and City's players might even learn to enjoy it. As Liverpool discovered, there is a certain exquisite pleasure in silencing your critics by beating them.

Tempting though it is, it is probably safer not to rattle that particular cage.

The big take: Booing Man City might come naturally to many, but it may well only bring more pain.

Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.

Dan Roan
Sports editor

The head of English football's independent regulator says he will resign if he encounters any political interference over the future of Manchester City.

As chairman of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), David Kogan has the power to assess the suitability of club owners and executives.

If an independent commission's findings that the club broke Premier League financial rules are upheld, the watchdog could even force a sale.

Last month, the Prime Minister Andy Burnham was criticised for saying he would be "really concerned" if the scandal led to Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners selling the club.

"They've been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester and obviously the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is," he added.

When asked about Burnham's comments, Kogan told BBC Sport: "The Prime Minister is entirely entitled to make his own observations on anything.

"We are independent. That is in the name. I am the chairman of the Independent Football Regulator and independence absolutely runs through everything we're doing.

"And no politician has tried to influence and would try to influence anything we do on that."

When asked what he would do if he did come under political pressure over the case, Kogan replied: "I would resign."

The prime minister initially told the BBC of his concerns, before later denying his reaction had "downplayed the seriousness of the findings".

However, some Premier League clubs were so "astonished" by Burnham's stance that sources told BBC Sport they were "concerned" about political interference in the appeal process.

Burnham's previous role as mayor of Greater Manchester has led to questions about his relationship with City's Abu Dhabi ownership.

The independent panel will hold a sanctions hearing - which could take months to convene - to decide on City's punishment.

The club can appeal both the guilty verdicts and the sanction, leaving the league in a state of uncertainty.

City's punishment could range from a huge fine, being deducted points or being ejected from the Premier League.

Asked how crucial it is that it was resolved as soon as possible, Kogan said: "I think it's very important."

Read more on the fallout from City's guilty verdicts

There are nine games in the Champions League on Wednesday as the 36-team league phase continues and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Feyenoord v Como (17:45)

• LASK v Liverpool (17:45)

• Aston Villa v Fenerbahce

• Bodo/Glimt v Borussia Dortmund

• Manchester City v Paris St-Germain - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Real Betis v Porto

• Roma v Real Madrid

• Shakhtar Donetsk v AEK Athens

• Slovan Bratislava v Stuttgart

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Champions League commentary on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v PSG" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Manchester City match".

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One from 22:40 to 00:00.

How to follow the Champions League on the BBC

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City welcome European champions Paris St-Germain to Etihad Stadium in what is their first home fixture since they were found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules. Enzo Maresca's side were impressive at Anfield on Sunday, beating Liverpool 3-0.

PSG failed to win any of their opening three Ligue 1 matches but are now finding rhythm. A 3-1 win over Le Mans on Saturday was their fourth victory in a row.

The first of those was a 6-1 win over Slovan Bratislava on matchday one of the Champions League. City were also impressive in their opener, winning 2-0 at Porto.

Did you know?

• A goal for Erling Haaland would take him past Sergio Aguero as City's all-time top scorer in the Champions League. Haaland has 36 goals in 40 appearances, while Aguero finished with 36 from 64.

• PSG are looking to match Real Madrid as the only team to win the Champions League three times in a row. In its previous guise as the European Cup, Real Madrid won five in succession between 1956 and 1960, while Ajax (1971-73) and Bayern Munich (1974-76) lifted the trophy three years running.

Image source, Getty Images

Key PSG player - Ferran Torres

Spain's World Cup final hero has hit the ground running after a summer transfer from Barcelona for a reported £42.7m, netting seven times in eight games.

Torres had a two-year stint at City between 2020 and 2022, scoring 16 goals in 43 matches and winning the Premier League and the EFL Cup at the Etihad.

He was expected to be a squad rotation option to replace Bradley Barcola after the France winger's £123m move to Liverpool, but he has started four of the past five PSG games.