Pep Guardiola Concedes PSG Were the Better Team as Manchester City Face Uphill Battle

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City suffered a 4-2 defeat to PSG, leaving their Champions League qualification hopes in doubt, but a win over Club Brugge could revive their chances.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola conceded that Paris Saint-Germain were the superior team after his side squandered a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. The defeat leaves Manchester City's Champions League hopes hanging by a thread. “They were better. We have to accept it,” Guardiola told reporters after the match. “We have the last chance at home against Bruges. We will do everything there and if we don't, it is because we don't deserve it.”

Manchester City had initially taken control of the match, with Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland scoring early in the second half to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. However, PSG staged a remarkable comeback, with Ousmane Dembele pulling one back and Bradley Barcola equalizing on the hour mark. PSG then took the lead through a Joao Neves header on 78 minutes and sealed the win in stoppage time with Goncalo Ramos' fourth goal.

The defeat sees PSG move above Manchester City in the standings, leaving Guardiola's team 25th out of 36 teams with eight points from seven games. Guardiola acknowledged PSG's superiority, saying, "They were better, we have to accept it. It's sport, and it is like that." Manchester City's chances of advancing to the next stage of the Champions League now rely on their final match against Bruges.

Despite the defeat, Manchester City's chances of qualifying for the knockout phase of the Champions League are not yet extinguished. As only the top 24 teams qualify, City's fate will be decided in their final league phase fixture against Club Brugge next Wednesday. A win in that match should be enough for the 2023 European champions to progress to the play-off round. Before that, City host Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, a crucial match in their fight for a top-four finish domestically.

PEP 💬 First half they had their moments and we had ours but they were better. We score a goal in five minutes and they score a goal five minutes later.

We could not control it. They were better, faster. Accept the defeat because the best team won.

We have the last chance… pic.twitter.com/mB50KI7Akw

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 22, 2025

Pep Guardiola conceded that PSG were the better team, saying, “I knew it would be tough. PSG is an exceptional team. We could not cope.” He attributed PSG's advantage to having an extra man in midfield, which proved decisive. Guardiola also showed humility in defeat, stating, “I would like to say differently, but when one team plays better, you have to accept it.” He emphasized the importance of moving forward, saying, “Now we have to prepare for a tough game against Chelsea and, of course, the final against Bruges. Try to move forward. I know the players gave everything.”

The availability of Ruben Dias for Manchester City's upcoming matches remains uncertain. The Portuguese defender, who has only recently returned from injury, came off at half-time in Paris. Guardiola explained, “He asked to be replaced because he didn't feel good.” Dias' fitness will be closely monitored ahead of City's crucial matches against Chelsea and Club Brugge.