Enzo Maresca Confident Manchester City Are Close to Matching PSG After 4-2 Champions League Loss
Enzo Maresca Sees Manchester City Closing the Gap on PSG
Despite a tough 4-2 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca insists his team is nearly at the same level as the European giants. The Italian coach praised his side's strong second-half display following a difficult start.
PSG's Early Surge Puts City Under Pressure
The reigning champions dominated the first half, scoring three goals and leaving City with a steep challenge. Two of those goals came within two minutes, rattling the hosts and forcing them into a catch-up mode.
City fought back after halftime, led by Erling Haaland, who scored twice in the second half. The home team launched relentless attacks, managing 27 shots over the full game. Yet, the damage from the first half was too much to erase.
Maresca Believes City’s Progress Is Clear
"I think we are there, my feeling is we are close," Maresca told reporters. "It was a strange match because we conceded two goals in two minutes which caused problems. Before that, we didn’t concede anything. In the second half, we did enough to deserve more."
The manager remains optimistic despite the loss, emphasizing the team's resilience and improvement.
PSG’s Luis Enrique Admits His Team Was Lucky
Maresca revealed that Luis Enrique, PSG’s coach, admitted post-match that his team had been fortunate to secure the win against City.
"Luis told me at the end they have been quite lucky," said Maresca. "In the last two years, they have been the best team in Europe, winning almost every game in this competition."
Looking Ahead: Domestic Focus Before More European Battles
Manchester City now turn their attention back to the Premier League, hosting newly promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday. Maresca will want a sharp and efficient performance to regain momentum before their next Champions League clash against AEK Athens.
PSG will continue their Ligue 1 season facing Strasbourg as they prepare for a major European showdown with Barcelona.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Manchester City vs Ipswich Town – Premier League, 17 Oct 2026, 17:00
- Strasbourg vs Paris Saint-Germain – Ligue 1, 17 Oct 2026, 18:15
