Manchester City took a big step towards the Champions League final on Wednesday. On a visit to Paris Saint-Germain, manager Pep Guardiola’s team turned a 1-0 deficit in the semi-final into a 1-2 victory, putting the first ever final spot in the European billion dollar ball within reach. Kevin De Bruyne acknowledged afterwards that it was a duel with two faces: Manchester City was almost unrecognizable in the first 45 minutes, while PSG completely collapsed after the break. Next Tuesday is the return at the Etihad Stadium.
“We were too rushed in the first half,” said De Bruyne afterwards in the Parc des Princes. “That’s not the way we normally play. In the second half we tried to find more patient space and I think we did well. ” De Bruyne himself took the 1-1 when a turning cross towards the far post ended up in the corner behind goalkeeper Keylor Navas. “That ball was difficult for him because a goalkeeper always expects someone to touch it,” said the Belgian.
De Bruyne could have made it 1-2 a few minutes later, but he left a free kick in a good position to Riyad Mahrez. “Riyad asked me if he could take it. Then I said: Yes, if you believe in yourself, take it. He scored, so who am I to say something about it? ”, Said the Belgium international with a grin.
De Bruyne’s figures in the Champions League are impressive. He was involved in no fewer than nine hits in his last eight matches in the knockout phase of the tournament: four assists and five goals. The 1-1 again meant goal number ten for De Bruyne as Citizen in the Champions League. Only Sergio Agüero (36), Raheem Sterling (21) and Gabriel Jesus (16) scored more.
Starting Mahrez in the Champions League almost always pays off, statistics show. The Algerian appeared at the start of a Champions League game 26 times in his career and in these games he was involved in no fewer than 20 hits: 12 assists and 8 hits.