Manchester City Pep Guardiola admitted he anticipated a difficult clash with Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League.
Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland both scored early in the second half to give City a 2-0 lead.
However, Ousmane Dembele pulled one back and Bradley Barcola equalised on the hour mark for PSG, who then went in front through a Joao Neves header on 78 minutes.
Then in stoppage time the game was wrapped up when Goncalo Ramos got their fourth goal.
Reflecting on the defeat Guardiola stated that his side “could not cope” with PSG, leaving their Champions League hopes on the brink.
“They were better. We have to accept it, We have the last chance at home against Brugges. We will do everything there and if we don’t it is because we don’t deserve it,” Guardiola told reporters after the match at the Parc des Princes.
“I knew it would be tough. PSG is an exceptional team. We could not cope.”
PSG move above City in the standings, leaving Guardiola’s team 25th out of 36 teams with eight points from seven games
Only the top 24 qualify for the knockout phase, but City host Club Brugge in their final league phase fixture next Wednesday and a win should suffice for the 2023 European champions to progress to the play-off round.
Before that City host Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday in a key game in the fight for a top-four finish domestically.
“Now we have to prepare for a tough game against Chelsea and of course the final against Brugges. Try to move forward. I know the players gave everything.”
