Guardiola concedes defeat to a superior PSG side as City’s European campaign hangs by a thread.
Pep Guardiola has admitted that Manchester City didn’t deserve to win their UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, as his side suffered a 4-2 defeat at the Parc des Princes. The loss leaves City on the brink of an early exit from the competition, sitting in 25th place—two points outside the play-off positions.
The Premier League side initially looked in control, taking a 2-0 lead through goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland by the 53rd minute. However, PSG stormed back with a flurry of goals from Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola to equalize, before Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos sealed the victory late in the game.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Guardiola was candid about the result:
“They were better. They were quicker, faster. They won the duels with the ball. They had one moment in the middle, and we could not cope with that. They are fast. I accept the defeat because the best team won.”
A Critical Blow to City’s Campaign
The defeat marks City’s third loss in their last four Champions League games, leaving their hopes of advancing to the play-offs hanging by a thread. Despite a six-game unbeaten run since Christmas that included four wins, this result has derailed their momentum.
Guardiola acknowledged the precarious position his team now finds itself in:
“It could happen. If we don’t win, we don’t deserve it. We didn’t do enough points, and we have to accept it. The last game against Brugge will dictate what we have to do.”
Struggles to Control the Game
City’s inability to maintain control of the match was a key factor in the defeat. Guardiola admitted that his team failed to play their usual possession game, which allowed PSG to dominate crucial moments:
“First half, they had the moments. They had one or two, we had one or two in terms of chances, but they were better. To defend the result, you have to keep the ball. We did not have it. They had it more, they attacked better, and that’s why it’s more difficult.”
City now face a do-or-die match against Club Brugge in their final league phase fixture. Only a win will keep their Champions League campaign alive, while any other result will see them eliminated from Europe’s top competition.
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