PSG's three-goal first-half blitz stuns Man City at the Etihad in Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain tore apart Manchester City with three goals in 17 first-half minutes at the Etihad Stadium, producing what pundit Steven Gerrard called “a 31-minute exhibition” in their Champions League encounter. Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha all struck for the visitors, with Achraf Hakimi also hitting the post during a rampant spell that left the hosts shell-shocked.

It marked the first time City had conceded three first-half goals at home since Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool managed the feat in November 2015. Luis Enrique’s side, defending back-to-back Champions League titles, produced a statement performance that underlined their credentials as Europe’s dominant force.

The result carried added weight given the circumstances surrounding City. Pep Guardiola, who left the club in May, was watching from the stands at the Etihad for the first time since his departure — and City were playing their first home game since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. Despite winning all six of their Premier League matches this season, including a 3-0 victory at Anfield on Sunday, City were comprehensively outplayed.

Gerrard, visibly stunned by the display, was unsparing in his assessment. “It’s been so one-sided,” he said. “Outstanding. I think Enzo Maresca has to speak to his staff and change something. I think they’re a man down in the centre of the pitch with [Rayan] Cherki.”

The reference to Maresca — City’s current head coach — reflected the scale of the tactical mismatch on the night. PSG’s press was relentless, their movement incisive, and City’s usually reliable defensive structure offered little resistance during that opening half-hour.

For PSG, the performance reinforced the sense that Enrique has built a side capable of retaining the Champions League title for a third consecutive season. For City, it raised urgent questions about how a team in such dominant domestic form could be so thoroughly undone on their own ground.