Manuel Pellegrini’s quest to bow out on a high is still on track after Manchester City’s 1-0 win over PSG as The Citizens have now qualified to the Champions League Semifinal for the first time in their history.
Kevin De Bruyne was the hero for City once again after the Belgian ace scored from a curling shot outside of the box on 76th minute to settle the nerves of a record crowd of 53,039 at The Etihad.
Manchester City 1-0 PSG – Match Stats
Coming in to the game, PSG knew they had to score to progress after conceding the late equalizing goal in Paris a week ago. City used it to their advantage and asked PSG to come out and try to break down their defense.
French Champions enjoyed easy possession for best part of first half an hour but City always looked dangerous on the counter attacks. One of those attacks saw the home side get a penalty on half-hour mark but to everyone’s surprise Sergio Aguero fired it wide of the keeper Kevin Trapp.
PSG could not take advantage from Aguero’s slip-up and failed to create any chances to test Joe Hart. The keeper only had to deal with two Zlatan Ibrahimovic free kicks in either halves which he dealt with ease.
As the game moved closer to the end, City fans grew confident as they knew if they could somehow get a goal then PSG will not be able to make a comeback. And that defining moment came from their talisman De Bruyne.
The Belgian waited for the ball on edge of the penalty area after a pinball act among City and PSG players but when it arrived at De Bruyne’s feet, he took a touch and knew where he had to place it. He found the bottom right corner far from Trapp’s reach and fired an unstoppable shot to see City through to their first ever Champions League semi final.
After going behind, PSG tried their best to make a comeback but could only managed two offside calls and a neat save from Hart to deny Cavani’s strike. Ligue 1 Champions never looked like troubling Pellegrini’s men as Manchester City thoroughly deserved their 3-2 aggregate win.
City join Real Madrid as one of the four semifinalists for the season after a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick completed Madrid’s comeback. Los Blancos trailed Wolfsburg 2-0 from the first leg but managed to go through to the Champions League semifinal with a 3-2 aggregate score.
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