PSG 2-0 Man City: Player ratings as Messi nets first PSG goal to down Citizens
Lionel Messi netted his first Paris Saint-Germain goal as Mauricio Pochettino's side secured a statement 2-0 victory over Man City in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Only seven minutes had elapsed when PSG poured forward for the first time and Idrissa Gueye slammed home his second goal inside a week. Achraf Hakimi released Kylian Mbappe down the right and when Neymar swiped at the air from the resulting cut-back, Gueye was on hand to control and arrow a strike into the top corner.
City appeared poised to equalise shortly after when Kevin De Bruyne floated an exquisite cross onto the head of Raheem Sterling. When the forward's header came back off the crossbar, Bernardo Silva stabbed the rebound back onto the woodwork again when it appeared easier to score before PSG eventually scrambled the ball away.
PSG threatened to double their lead shortly before half-time when Mbappe pulled it back for Marquinhos from a quick corner routine, but the Brazilian couldn't extend his leg far enough to poke home.
City dominated possession and fashioned a few openings either side of the interval. Gianluigi Donnarumma saved well from Ruben Dias' header at the back post before Kevin De Bruyne went close after drifting in behind the PSG defence.
However, the evening will be remembered for Messi's piece of brilliance. The Argentine received the ball deep inside his own half before breezing past Aymeric Laporte. Then, playing a give-and-go with Mbappe, the Frenchman laid the ball back into his path before he curled his effort into the top corner to seal a priceless three points for PSG.
Here's how both teams rated.
PSG PLAYER RATINGS
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) - 6/10 - Appears to be Pochettino's man for the big ocassions and enjoyed a mixed night, saving well from De Bruyne but lacked conviction when coming for crosses.
Achraf Hakimi (RB) - 8/10 - Proved a constant thorn in City's defence with his powerful runs from deep and defended with intelligence.
Marquinhos (CB) - 7/10 - A colossus at the heart of the PSG defence and made a series of key interceptions.
Presnel Kimpembe (CB) - 6/10 - Had no standout defensive moments but his positioning was excellent.
Nuno Mendes (LB) - 7/10 - Developed a reputation for his attacking qualities but he showed great defensive awareness on several ocassions.
2. Midfielders
Idrissa Gueye (CM) - 8/10 - Second goal in as many games and he certainly doesn't lack conviction when presented with a chance. A standout performance.
Marco Verratti (CM) - 6/10 - Constantly took the ball under pressure from the PSG defence and sniffed out any danger on the edge of the penalty area.
Ander Herrera (CM) - 6/10 - An uncharacteristically quiet performance given the levels he's reached this season.
3. Forwards
Lionel Messi (RW) - 6/10 - A quiet performance that hinted he was rushed back too quickly, but showed his class with a fine goal that left Ederson helpless.
Kylian Mbappe (ST) - 6/10 - Carried his side forward on the counterattack after Gueye's opener and was the liveliest of PSG's attacking trio.
Neymar (LW) - 5/10 - A few eye-catching flicks but his lack of end product will have irked Pochettino.
4. Substitutes
Gini Wijnaldum (CM) - N/A
Danilo (CM) - N/A
MAN CITY PLAYER RATINGS
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Ederson (GK) - 5/10 - Making his 200th Man City appearance, he had little else to do other than pick the ball out of the back of the net.
Kyle Walker (RB) - 5/10 - Didn't offer much going forward given the threat of Mbappe on the counterattack, but defended with poise.
Ruben Dias (CB) - 5/10 - Marshalled PSG's front three and could do little to prevent either goal.
Aymeric Laporte (CB) - 5/10 - Started a few promising attacks for Man City with his distribution from defence.
Joao Cancelo (LB) - 6/10 - Overloaded by PSG for Gueye's opener but showed his attacking quality on a few occasions.
6. Midfielders
Rodri (DM) - 6/10 - Kept City moving from the heart of midfield and showed his excellent array of passes.
Kevin De Bruyne (CM) - 6/10 - Showed his quality with a sumptuous cross for Sterling in the first half, but was fortunate to stay on the field for a heavy challenge on Gueye.
Bernardo Silva (CM) - 5/10 - Astonishing miss from the rebound when Sterling's first-half header came off the crossbar and his influence waned in the second period.
7. Forwards
Riyad Mahrez (RW) - 4/10 - Worked himself into some promising areas but he lacked the required end product.
Raheem Sterling (ST) - 5/10 - Passed up a good chance from De Bruyne's cross in the first half and lacked quality in the final third playing in an unfamiliar centre-forward role.
Jack Grealish (LW) - 5/10 - Often appeared City's chief attacking threat early in the first half but looked too interested in buying fouls when the referee wasn't prepared to bite.
8. Substitutes
Phil Foden (LW) - 5/10 - Brought energy to City in the final third.
Gabriel Jesus (ST) - N/A