Fernandinho scored a scrappy second goal for Manchester City at the end of a breathless 90 minutes, which saw Manuel Pellegrini’s side secure an impressive 2-2 draw with PSG.
City had kick-off, and made their mark on the game immediately. A charge down the right wing from Sergio Aguero saw the Argentine striker fouled on the edge of the box after just 14 seconds, with the offending David Luiz picking up the first booking of the game.
Kevin De Bruyne had the first real attempt of the game, capitalising on City’s early pressure, and firing a long-range attempt over the bar of Kevin Trapp’s bar. It was the first of many City chances, as Manuel Pellegrini’s men kept up their attacking game plan in the first 10 minutes.
PSG’s first attack resulted in a strong penalty claim, although nothing was given by the officials.
Blaise Matuidi broke through the middle, going down in the area under pressure from Eliaquim Mangala, but the French centre-back was not adjudged to have fouled his national teammate.
However, good luck could not save City forever, and just five minutes later PSG were awarded a penalty.
Bacary Sagna took down David Luiz inside the area, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic stepped up to strike the spot-kick. His shot was powerful and aimed at the corner, but Joe Hart was equal to the attempt, pushing the penalty wide of goal with a strong hand.
It was Ibrahimovic who had the next chance of the game, but after missing the penalty he could not make amends for his mistake.
Nicolas Otamendi lost the ball in midfield after playing out of defence, and Ibrahimovic captailised by charging through the middle of the pitch. As he approached the box, Hart came out to close the angles, and the Swedish forward took an early shot. He decided to attempt the one-on-one chance whilst outside of the box, but fired high and wide when he really should have hit the target.
The next 10 minutes brought few chances, and PSG consistently wasted a number of good free-kicks they won in City’s half, but as their dominance grew, it was the visitors who opned the scoring.
De Bruyne finished off a lovely move after 38 minutes, handing City the lead and registering an all-important away goal. Fernando won the ball in midfield, and laid it off to Fernandinho, who pushed forward through the centre of the pitch. He played a perfectly timed ball to the Belgian winger, who, from the right side of the area, converted past Trapp.
It was a well deserved goal, but all of City’s good work was undone just three minutes later with a moment of stupidty from Pellegrini’s back-line.
Hart took a goal-kick short to Fernando, who, thinking he had time on the ball, attempted to turn. However, he miscontrolled the ball, and Ibrahimovic was there to roll a first-time attempt past Hart – who had no chance to keep it out as he was out of position.
The second-half started with PSG upping the tempo even further, as they looked to take the lead.
Ibrahimovic, Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani were causing a number of problems to the City back-line, although Hart was never truly threatened. Mangala almost scored past his own keeper after 58 minutes following a dangerous cross, but the centre-back managed to push the ball wide and out-of-play.
But City were punished from the resulting corner, as Hart pushed an attempt straight into the path of Adrien Rabiot, who had no trouble rolling the ball into the open net at the far post. PSG had the lead, and, more worryingly, were in the ascendancy.
Just minutes later, the French champions came close again, as Ibrahimovic crashed a far-post header against the bar. PSG were recording chance after chance, but that third goal continued to elude them.
They had another penalty shout turned down on 66 minutes, with the ball crashing against Gael Clichy’s chest, and Jesus Navas wasted a great chance on the counter for City – shooting when passing was the better option.
It appeared as if City were resigned to losing just 2-1, but they got back into the game through rather fortuitous circumstances.
A deflected cross from Sagna found its way through to Fernandinho, who hit a powerful shot goalwards. It came off both centre-backs, dribbling into the far corner, and giving City the advantage of a second away goal with 15 minutes remaining.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes, it was clear both teams beleived they could win. There were holes in the defences of both sides, and both teams were pressing and probing into the opposition area.
The home side were looking to grab a third goal, knowing that they face an uphill challenge in the second leg of the tie, with David Luiz and Blaise Matuidi both suspended for the return game at the Etihad.
However, neither Hart nor Trapp were truly tested again, and the game drew to a close with City the happier of the two sides as Pellegrini looks to win the Champions League in his final season as manager of the Manchester club.