“Quicker, faster, won the duels” – Pep Guardiola praises PSG performance in Manchester City demolition | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola piled on the praise for the performance of PSG as the French side issued another damning result on the Etihad outfit.

The Premier League champions threw away yet another lead to lose for the ninth time in the ongoing season from a winning position across all competitions, after quick-fire second-half goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland had the visitors jubilant.

However, there was a feeling throughout the match that Luis Enrique’s side were more than a threat on the attack and their lightning fast forwards offered the ultimate humiliation in the final 35 minutes at the Parc des Princes.

Goals from Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves, and a further strike from Goncalo Ramos deep into injury time left Manchester City in a precarious position in the league phase of the competition, requiring only a win to book a play-off place for the last-16.

Speaking to TV broadcasters after the contest in the French capital, Pep Guardiola insisted that while the team appeared fine with their advantage, they failed to control possession to bring about a sense of calmness in the match.

“First-half they (PSG) had moments, one or two, we had one or two in terms of chances. But they were better. It was 0-2, we were fine, we scored a goal within five minutes [of the restart], they scored a goal after five minutes and we could not control,” the Catalan coach said.

“The first goal they (PSG) gave us, they (the Manchester City players) were a little bit knocked out, and in that moment they lifted, but they were better.

“They were quicker, faster, won the duels, one more man in the middle, and we could not cope with that. They are fast.”

Guardiola closed, “Accept the defeat because the best team won, and we have a last chance at home against Brugge; if we win, we qualify.”

Manchester City will now welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening before attentions can return back on to the Champions League and the visit of Club Brugge on the final matchday of the league phase.