The Brazilian goalkeeper was at his worst as the Cityzens chucked away a two-goal advantage in Paris – they now need a miracle to avoid disaster
Manchester City are staring in the face of Champions League disaster after throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 against a terrific Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesda. Pep Guardiola's side looked in total control when Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland scored to give them an ideal start to the second half, but the French champions staged an incredible comeback to leapfrog the Cityzens in the standings and leaving City 25th in the table, needing victory in their final game against Club Brugge and for results elsewhere to go their way in order to avoid a catastrophic early exit.
City went into the game sitting in the final qualification berth and one more slip away from contemplating an unthinkable early exit from the competition they won in 2023. PSG were in an even more perilous position, heading into the game 26th in the table and needing to win to have their fate in their own hands heading into next week's crunch final matchday.
The French champions took the initiative in the first half and would have taken the lead had Josko Gvardiol not blocked Fabian Ruiz's volley on the line. Achraf Hakimi did find the net, meanwhile, but the goal was ruled out for a fractional offside in the build-up.
Guardiola, uncharacteristically, took drastic action at the break by bringing on Grealish and Rico Lewis at half-time, and Grealish scored with his first touch, burying a loose ball, before and moments later setting up Haaland to score at the far post.
But PSG, staring in the face of their most humiliating Champions League exit yet, roared back into life, spurred on by the livewire Bradley Barcola. He bombed down the wing past the hapless Matheus Nunes to tee up Ousmane Dembele to score before striking the equaliser himself, pouncing on weak goalkeeping from Ederson.
The Brazilian's night got worse as he couldn't keep out Joao Neves' near-post strike, and as City desperately searched for an equaliser, Goncalo Ramos made sure of victory, his goal given after a long VAR check.
GOAL rates City's players from Parc des Princes…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Ederson (3/10):
Didn't transmit any security. Loose in possession and unconvincing at shot-stopping, being too slow to react to Barcola pouncing on the rebound and then made a mess for Neves' strike.
Matheus Nunes (4/10):
Exposed again against a top-level opponent. Couldn't handle Barcola and was clumsy with the ball.
Manuel Akanji (7/10):
Useful at both ends. Made two good defensive interventions in the first half then marauded forward to play his part in the opening goal.
Ruben Dias (7/10):
Played clever passes from the back which created chances and solid in defence but was taken off at half-time.
Josko Gvardiol (5/10):
Made a crucial block against Ruiz but was run ragged by substitute Dembele in the second half.
AdvertisementMidfield
Bernardo Silva (5/10):
Forced the parry from Donnarumma leading to Grealish's goal but when the game went wild he couldn't keep control.
Mateo Kovacic (5/10):
Misplaced too many passes while PSG's midfield, particularly Joao Neves, took advantage of his lack of pace.
Kevin De Bruyne (6/10):
The main source of City's best attacking moments and their threat faded when he came off in the 70th minute.
Attack
Phil Foden (5/10):
Fell over and disrupted a promising move made by Savinho but then set up the Brazilian. Couldn't spark the revival City needed after conceding twice in quick succession.
Erling Haaland (6/10):
Should have done more with a free header in the first half, scored easily in the second but didn't provide enough of a threat when City needed him.
Savinho (6/10):
Showed some wonderful skill and put PSG under pressure but bizarrely taken off at half-time.
Subs & Manager
Jack Grealish (8/10):
Made a difference in attack but frustratingly it was on City's worst night.
Rico Lewis (5/10):
Him replacing Dias played into City's hands. Struggled a lot against Dembele.
James McAtee (5/10):
Not the player City needed.
Ilkay Gundogan (5/10):
Another painful night in Paris after losing here last year with Barcelona.
John Stones (5/10):
Only made things worse in defence.
Pep Guardiola (4/10):
A harrowing night for the three-time Champions League winner. His team did not play like the City we know, ceding PSG the ball and sitting off them. Looked to be playing for a draw and then once his side had the upper hand they threw it away.