Man City defeats PSG, enters Champions League semi-finals for first time

Kevin de Bruyne scored to help Man City beat PSG 1-0 in the second leg, winning 3-2 on aggregate to reach the last four of Europe's strongest teams for the first time in history.

De Bruyne starred in the win over PSG. Photo: Reuters.

The financial power that has propelled Man City to the status of a giant in recent years has played a significant role in this season's semi-final triumph. The team's most expensive star, Kevin de Bruyne, scored two important goals in the first and second legs to help Man City break through in Europe's most prestigious tournament. Without the $85 million spent on De Bruyne last summer, Man City would hardly have gone as far as they have.

De Bruyne's goal in the second leg was scored in the 76th minute. This was a personal highlight for the Belgian midfielder when he decisively finished from outside the 16m50 box to beat goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. In the first leg, De Bruyne also opened the scoring against PSG.

Another similarity between the two games was the missed penalty. Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed to beat Joe Hart in the first leg, while Sergio Aguero was sent off after winning a penalty in the first half. Unlike PSG, however, City did not let the missed penalty affect the final result.

Winning 3-2 on aggregate, Man City confidently entered the semi-finals after many years of struggling in the group stage and the round of 16. The Etihad team also continued to raise the flag of the Premier League in the Champions League in the context of the weakening of their compatriots.

Meanwhile, PSG showed that they are on the threshold of reaching the highest level in Europe but lacked the courage at the end. For four consecutive seasons, the French team had to stop at the quarter-finals without being able to go further.

PSG played a decent second leg, even slightly better than the home team, but were not sharp enough to unlock the Man City defense. The visitors had the ball in the net twice but both times the referee flagged Cavani and Ibrahimovic for offside. Other dangerous situations such as Cavani's face-off, Ibrahimovic's free kicks and Thiago Silva's close-range header were all defeated by Joe Hart.

As for Ibrahimovic, the Swedish striker could end his career at PSG without winning the Champions League. Since arriving in Paris in 2012, Ibrahimovic has dominated Ligue 1, helping PSG win four consecutive titles. However, the European title that he still lacks remains a challenge for the 34-year-old striker. If he does not renew his contract with PSG, Ibrahimovic will leave as the reason for the team's exit from the Champions League this season after a failed penalty in the first leg.

Ibrahimovic's sadness at losing. This striker has won national championships at the clubs he played for but has no luck in the Champions League. Photo: Reuters.

In Ibrahimovic's sadness is the joy of a man who will leave Man City at the end of the season, coach Manuel Pellegrini. It has been 10 years since the Chilean coach has experienced the feeling of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. A decade ago, Pellegrini made his name by taking the humble Villarreal team to the semi-finals and only lost 0-1 on aggregate to Arsenal. To win against PSG, Man City's defense has made great strides compared to the first leg. The duo of Mangala and Otamendi silenced Ibrahimovic. PSG's main striker did not have a single shot within the 16m50 box, many times having to retreat deep to get the ball. In addition, defensive midfielder Fernando quickly forgot his mistake in Paris and made timely interceptions outside the 16m50 box.

Safety was the top priority for Man City in last night's match. The home team's attacking duties were almost entirely assigned to the trio of Aguero, De Bruyne and David Silva. Even wingers like Jesus Navas mainly dropped back to support Sagna in defense. This meant Man City did not have much possession of the ball and mainly played counter-attacks.

Meanwhile, coach Laurent Blanc decided to bring Serge Aurier back to play as a central defender with Thiago Silva and Marquinhos in a 5-3-2 formation. The two full-backs Van der Wiel and Maxwell often moved up on the wings to support the attack. However, this arrangement harmed PSG when Aurier was not confident in the central defender position and often lost the ball to Aguero. From a wrong pass from Aurier, Man City organized a counter-attack leading to a penalty.

After failing in the Champions League, PSG will turn their sights back to defending the domestic treble they won last season. PSG won Ligue 1 early, reached the League Cup final against Lille and will play Lorient in the cup semi-finals.

Man City continue their aim to defend a top-four place with a clash with Chelsea in the next round of the Premier League.

According to VNE