Matchday LIVE: Manchester City secure 2-1 first-leg lead over 10-man PSG

That's all from the live blog this evening - and what an evening it was for Manchester City. They have taken a giant leap towards the Champions League final after a thrilling second half performance in Paris, though there is still plenty of work to do in next week's second leg. Until next time!&nbsp;👋

Farewell!

For large parts of the first half at Parc des Princes, Manchester City&nbsp;seemed more concerned with the ethos that attack was the best form of defence, and forgot that attack was also best way to score and win the tie. Whatever Pep Guardiola&nbsp;said had half-time transformed the emphasis of a Champions League semi-final that appeared to be slipping away from the Premier League side, and should now give his side the confidence that they can complete the job. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/no-more-over-thinking-guardiola-silences-critics-man-city/tmon71clon9x1fi0utmc6iaq9" target="_blank">Read more from Goal's Manchester City correspondent Jonathan Smith.</a>

Guardiola silences the critics as Man City reach new heights

Here's more from Guardiola speaking to BT Sport: "Sometimes you need to be more relaxed and be ourselves. The first half is normal - 180 minutes, you don't want to lose the ball, you don't play free. "We changed a little in the way we press. We were passive,&nbsp;then we were more aggressive. It's not easy against Mbappe, Neymar, Di Maria. Afterwards we found goals and could have scored another. I'm so satisfied with the performance but we're only halfway there. There are 90 more minutes. PSG are a&nbsp; greatteam, anything can happen. "We didn't have the good possession in right positions. That sometimes is normal. This club don't have much experience in the semi-finals of this tournament. This will help us. In the second half we were aggressive and played really good. "Against Dortmund, we conceded and came back. Today the same. Be ourselves in the second half. We are good playing in a certain way - we can't do a different way."

'We're only halfway there'

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to BT Sport:&nbsp;"We started really well. We felt pressure after conceding. Sometimes we have to do more touches. A lot of people, it was the first time in the semi-finals and wanted to do it well. "The last 10 minutes was good. In the second half we were excellent in every department. Two away goals, but&nbsp;we have a hard job in six days."

'Second half we were excellent in every department'

For an hour,&nbsp;it looked so good for Paris Saint-Germain. They spent the first half bossing Manchester City in their Champions League semi-final first leg, grabbing the advantage thanks to a neat Marquinhos header from an Angel Di Maria corner. Then came the second half. Pressure makes diamonds, goes the old sporting cliché, but it can also crush lesser men. PSG found themselves unhappily in that latter bracket in the empty Parc des Princes. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/psg-implode-man-city-pressure-neymar-mbappe-mountain/tumdyenpb1pe1mpe3mzux5se6" target="_blank">Read the rest of our reflections on a sobering night for PSG.</a>

PSG implosion leaves UCL dreams teetering on the edge

Here's more from Kevin De Bruyne to BT Sport: "It was a game of two halves. We started well in the first 10 minutes but PSG are an unbelievable team and have great quality up front. It was a shame the way we conceded. After that they had a couple of small chances. After 25 minutes we changed the way we pressed them and it became better. "The second half was much, much better. We put them under pressure. The first goal was a little bit lucky with the way it went in, but we played great football and we did well." On his equalising goal: "It set up in a perfect position. It's so difficult for the goalkeeper because he expects someone to touch it. We kept going and with the second goal Riyad is good for us. He asked me if he could take it and I said 'yes, if you believe in yourself'. He scored. Who am I to say something? There is still a game to go and we have to concentrate on that."

'We played great football'

Manchester City goalscorer Kevin De Bruyne speaking to BT Sport: “The first half was too rushed. That’s not how we play. In the second half we did really well and tried to find the space more patiently. "They are a tough team to play against and the progression we made as a team was good.”

'First half was too rushed'

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Pep takes Round One 😎<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y6u5uKBMpW">pic.twitter.com/Y6u5uKBMpW</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387513883846488066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

😎

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Kylian Mbappe didn't have a shot tonight ❌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/PDLwIFcjm8">pic.twitter.com/PDLwIFcjm8</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387510776341143559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Firing blanks

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 47 - In the history of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, there have been 47 instances before tonight of an English side winning the first leg of a two-legged knockout tie away from home, and on all 47 occasions the English side has progressed. Legwork. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/QtWjT41QK8">pic.twitter.com/QtWjT41QK8</a> — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1387510895551647745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

History is on City's side

What a result this is for Pep Guardiola's side, they take a 2-1 lead to the Etihad next week!

FT: PSG 1-2 Man City

Man City will look to see this out now. Crazy to think after the first half that PSG will probably be happy just to escape with a 2-1 defeat...

Four minutes to be added on

What a goal that nearly was from Phil Foden. The City player waltzes&nbsp;past three PSG players, darts into the area and fizzes in a shot that is straight at Navas.

Brilliant from Foden!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> RED CARD for Idrissa Gueye! 🟥 The right call? 🤔 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/YXMOhFjqfq">pic.twitter.com/YXMOhFjqfq</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387506277778169861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ouch

PSG are down to 10 men - and they can have no complaints. That's a shocker of a challenge by Idrissa Gueye on Ilkay Gundogan, his studs raking right down his Achilles. What does Pochettino do from here?

Red card Idrissa Gueye! 🟥 

Neymar is booked for a cynical&nbsp;late challenge on Dias -&nbsp;PSG are at risk of losing their heads here. Then at the other end Mahrez's cross is met by Foden whose header is straight at Navas. What a turnaround this is by City.

It's nearly three!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> RIYAD MAHREZ 🚀 Man City have turned it around! 🔀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/o8bhR6hAKA">pic.twitter.com/o8bhR6hAKA</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387504706193330179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Riyad's rocket

It's also Riyad Mahrez territory!!!!&nbsp;Manchester City lead! Huge questions have to be asked of the PSG wall, though. Mahrez hits it straight at them but somehow the ball escapes through and beyond and unsighted Navas.&nbsp; A huge moment in the tie!

Goal for Manchester City!

Man City are well on top now and they win a free-kick 25 yards out when Gueye trips Foden.&nbsp;Paredes is then booked for booting the ball away in frustration. This is prime KDB territory......

City free kick

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 3 - Kevin De Bruyne is the fourth different player to score in three consecutive UEFA Champions League matches against Paris SG, after Lionel Messi, Marcus Rashford (3 each) and Neymar (4). Intentional? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZgkybY3Luj">pic.twitter.com/ZgkybY3Luj</a> — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1387503080372121603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

KDB ❤️ PSG

City are level and it's Kevin De Bruyne! The Belgian curled in a cross from the left towards Dias and Stones, but it goes over everyone's heads and creeps in beyond Navas at the far post! They have the crucial away goal!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Oof<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/GVngki0xLK">pic.twitter.com/GVngki0xLK</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387500963729129484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

😫

Lovely effort from Kevin De Bruyne who sends an acrobatic volley just over the bar! Meanwhile, Pep makes a change as Cancelo&nbsp;is replaced by&nbsp;Zinchenko.

KDB! Close!

The Manchester City players are getting increasingly frustrated with referee&nbsp;Felix Brych, who they feel is giving free-kicks to PSG but not themselves. Riyad Mahrez is the latest player to go down, but nothing is given.

City not happy 😡

Whatever Pep said at the break has worked so far. Manchester City are much improved and pressing PSG in their own half. Can they get that all important away goal?

Man City much better

Neymar has some strapping on his left arm after a heavy fall during the first half. He seems to me moving around freely, though.

Neymar strapped up

PSG also make it back out onto the field and we are under way again!

Here we go...

Pep Guardiola must have sent them out early. I wonder what he said at the break?&nbsp;🤔

Man City already back out

What a cracking half of football that was. Paris Saint-Germain looked irresistible at times and their game plan has worked perfectly. Yet, it is still only 1-0 and that Phil Foden chance should give Manchester City hope for the second half.

Advantage PSG

HT: PSG 1-0 Man City ⏰

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> BIG chance for Phil Foden! But he puts it straight at Navas 😞<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/MNWnlbaMdW">pic.twitter.com/MNWnlbaMdW</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387492673439813636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Should Foden have done better?

It should be 1-1! PSG give the ball away on the edge of their own box and the ball falls to Phil Foden in space in side the area, but his drilled effort is straight at Navas who pushes clear! How crucial could that be??

What a chance!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 2 - PSG centre-half Marquinhos is only the third player in <a href="https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChampionsLeague</a> history to score in the quarter-final and semi-final in consecutive seasons, after Cristiano Ronaldo (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14) and Antoine Griezmann (2015-16, 2016-17). Rarity. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/LIn7u5vM8E">pic.twitter.com/LIn7u5vM8E</a> — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1387490492120805376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The man for the big occasion

Manchester City fashion an opportunity for themselves as Phil Foden's cross is headed back into the six yard box by Riyad Mahrez towards Bernardo Silva, but&nbsp;Paredes is alert to stab the ball away with an outstretched boot. This game is so open there has to be more goals in it!

Chance for Man City!

Marquinhos' goal is the difference so far <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🇧🇷🇧🇷<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/UwSdDlBfl8">pic.twitter.com/UwSdDlBfl8</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387487636726616072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

PSG corners are causing havoc. If it's not Di Maria on the right it's Mbappe on the left, with the latter's delivery finding&nbsp;Paredes who heads just wide.

PSG go close again

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> When City are in possession, they seem more intent on keeping the ball than threatening to score at the moment — Jonathan Smith (@jonnysmiffy) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonnysmiffy/status/1387486683571138566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

😳

Manchester City nearly hit back at the other end! Joao Cancelo's pass into the box finds Bernardo Silva on the stretch, but his effort is pushed behind by Keylor Navas. We have a game on our hands.

Good save Navas!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 5 - Not only has Marquinhos scored five goals in his last 12 UEFA Champions League appearances, the Brazilian has scored in both the quarter-final and semi-final in each of the last two campaigns. Primetime. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1387486415034933249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Big game player!

Marquinhos heads PSG into the lead!!!&nbsp;&nbsp;⚽&nbsp;⚽&nbsp;⚽&nbsp;⚽&nbsp;⚽ Angel di Maria curls a dangerous corner into the near post and&nbsp;Marquinhos rises unmarked to plant an powerful header past an unmoved Ederson!

Goal for PSG!!

Another chance for PSG! Manchester City fail to properly clear a corner and Neymar manages to wriggle free in the area before firing in a shot that takes a deflection before being tipped over by Ederson!

Save!

Paris Saint-Germain look more than happy to let Manchester City have possession. As soon as they win it through, Neymar and Mbappe are off on the counter. There has to be goals in this, surely?! ⚽&nbsp;⚽

City dominating the ball

You do NOT want to give the ball away cheaply against PSG. Rodri does just that and Kylian Mbappe is away. He then feeds Neymar whose low shot is saved by Ederson. A warning

Early chance for PSG!

Kick-off!

Here come the players - not long to go!! <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 😁<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/ko4hHM9FxE">pic.twitter.com/ko4hHM9FxE</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387480232496611329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

🤩 🤩

As we edge closer to kick-off here is a reminder of the teams. Manchester City make&nbsp;four changes to the team that beat Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Ederson, John Stones, Rodri and Bernardo Silva all come&nbsp;in with Raheem Sterling, Ayermic Laporte, Fernandinho and Zack Steffen on the bench. Man City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo, Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Bernardo, Foden. PSG defender&nbsp;Marquinhos is fit to return for the first time since he suffered an&nbsp;adductor injury in the quarter-final first leg against Bayern. PSG XI: Navas, Florenzi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Bakker, Gueye, Paredes, Di María, Verratti, Neymar, Mbappe.

The teams

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 8 - Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is set to take charge of his eighth UEFA Champions League semi-final tie, the joint-most of all managers alongside José Mourinho. Pioneers. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/5FycJXgyY0">pic.twitter.com/5FycJXgyY0</a> — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1387471827623157770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Pep's been there and done it

It is just over a week since the European Super League plan crumbled amid furious protests from supporters. Pep Guardiola had already expressed his reservations about the plan before Manchester City became&nbsp;one of the first teams to withdraw. The players were against it too, as Goal's Manchester City correspondent Jonathan Smith discovered. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/who-cares-about-the-super-league-man-city-players-have/13y6qyzf6ndoc1cozsymwbulm4" target="_blank">Read the full story here.</a>

Why Man City players were dead against the ESL

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 3 - Paris SG are winless in their previous three matches with Manchester City in European competition (D2 L1), only facing Arsenal (4), AC Milan (4) and Juventus (8) on more occasions without ever winning in their history. Trouble. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ml5Ez9fxSQ">pic.twitter.com/Ml5Ez9fxSQ</a> — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1387469922146652163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Good omen for City?

'Everything at PSG must be built for Neymar, must swirl around the rogue genius whose presence in Paris is the defining emblem of the Qatar Sports Investments era.&nbsp;So far, it has been the perfect fit for club and player,&nbsp;his symbolic importance to PSG allowing Neymar to play with unheard-of freedom.&nbsp; 'But if Mauricio Pochettino wants advice on how to eventually integrate a player like Neymar into a refined tactical regime, he could learn a thing or two from the man sitting in the opposite dugout on Wednesday night.' <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/should-pochettino-tame-the-ultimate-individualist-neymar-against-/l388pg8sauq318edeoxx6zbq4" target="_blank">Read the rest of the story on Goal!</a>

Free spirit Neymar faces Guardiola's conformist City

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The PSG team bus got quite a welcome at the Parc des Princes 🧨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/nNIksMDXgM">pic.twitter.com/nNIksMDXgM</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387457338227970052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

😮

Pep Guardiola was in relaxed mood when he spoke to the media to preview tonight's game. The Manchester City boss&nbsp;joked that&nbsp;thinking about Neymar and Kylian Mbappe kept him awake at night. He also believes his players must&nbsp;impose their own game style and cannot afford to defend too deep because of the intelligence of PSG's attackers. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/i-sleep-better-when-im-not-thinking-about-neymar-and-mbappe/136y6svd15eus1c571tcmkatee" target="_blank">Read the rest of what Guardiola had to say here.</a>

'I sleep better when I'm not thinking about Neymar and Mbappe!'

Here are the two teams - there's going to be some talent out on the pitch this evening!&nbsp;🔥&nbsp;🔥&nbsp;🔥&nbsp;🔥 <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🇫🇷 𝐏𝐒𝐆 𝐯 𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The stars are on show. Two elite coaches. This could be the game of the season 🍿 The teams are IN 👇 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCL</a> <a href="https://t.co/0uJndG7gRv">pic.twitter.com/0uJndG7gRv</a> — Goal (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1387461712295645191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async="async" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It's Champions League semi-final time yet again. Real Madrid and Chelsea played out an intriguing first leg in Valdebebas last night to leave the tie on a knife edge. Now it is the turn of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. This could be huge!

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Stay right up to date with Goal&apos;s live commentary coverage as Mauricio Pochettino pits his wits against Pep Guardiola