MAN CITY 1, PARIS ST GERMAIN 0
(City won 3-2 on aggregate)
Manchester City dare to dream after defeating Paris St Germain to reach the semi final of the Champions League for the first time.
The last eight had also been uncharted territory and Kevin De Bruyne scored the decisive goal that overcame Paris St Germain on a nervy night at the Etihad.
And outgoing City manager Manuel Pellegrini remains on course to make a triumphant exit at the end of the campaign as he makes way for Pep Guardiola.
City, who became the 10th English club to reach the last four of the Champions League or European Cup as it was once known, had to endure some anxious moments.
PSG had two goals ruled out while Joe Hart also made some important saves to ensure City progressed to the semis on a night when big-hitting Real Madrid also won through.
And nobody was more relieved to see De Bruyne’s goal than Sergio Aguero who missed a first-half penalty that looked like being potentially costly as long as PSG remained on level terms.
A delighted Pellegrini, reflecting on the success, said: “It is a very great achievement for the club, not only to be in the semi finals of the Champions League and one of the best four teams in Europe, but also for our style of play.
“We didn’t change tonight because of the draw in Paris and continued with our normal style.”
Pellegrini, who thought victory was deserved over the two legs, believes his team has improved each year in Europe adding they were unlucky in each of the last two seasons to meet Barcelona in the last 16.
He says this season was different as they won their group which gave them an easier passage in the knockout phase adding the goal remains to win the Champions League.
Pellegrini was delighted with the central-defensive pairing of Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala explaining that some of the criticisms they have received this season has been unjust.
He also praised De Bruyne who has been a revelation since his return from a lengthy injury lay-off.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc said his team was not clinical enough over the two legs.
He said: “We had chances to score more than two goals in Paris, and that had an impact on the return.
“City were more clinical and efficient and deserved to qualify over the two games, and they showed that we have limitations technically. Well done to them.”
Blanc added he was surprised by City’s display at the back, especially the performances of the central defenders.
City were unchanged from the side that drew 2-2 in Paris in a pulsating first leg of their last-eight tie.
PSG, meanwhile, were without the suspended David Luiz and Blaise Matuidi as they called up Marquinhos and Gregory van der Wiel.
There was a cagey start from both teams with the stakes so high – neither side wanted to make an early mistake.
It was PSG that carved out the first clear-cut chance in the 16th minute, a terrific 30-yard free kick from Zlatan Ibrahimovic that was dipping under the bar until Joe Hart acrobatically turned it over.
City had to wait until midway through the half before creating their first chance, and then two came along in quick succession.
David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne set up Aguero whose shot from the edge of the box flashed just wide and then the Argentine saw a 30-yard snapshot fly past the upright.
City ought to have taken the lead on the half hour when they won a penalty.
PSG’s defence was sprung as Aguero burst clear only to be tripped by keeper Kevin Trapp who was booked when it could easily have been a sending off as Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo had a big call to make.
Aguero stepped up and fired wide, his second miss in his last three spot kicks in the Champions League. You wondered if it could prove to be a pivotal moment in the match.
City also had another chance shortly before half time when a loose PSG pass let in Jesus Navas who shot narrowly wide as the first half ended in deadlock.
PSG, requiring a win to reach the semi finals, needed to adopt a more adventurous approach in the second period if they were to advance.
And they soon had a great chance to take the lead when Edinson Cavani was fouled by Fernando 27 yards out.
Ibrahimovic stepped forward again and his fiercely struck free kick beat the defensive wall but not Hart who made an excellent save diving low to his right.
PSG had the ball in the net but substitute Lucas, who replaced the injured Thiago Motta late in the opening half, saw his effort chalked out for offside in the build up.
And the visitors went close again when Hart was forced to turn over Thiago Silva’s downward header following a corner by Lucas.
But it was City that went ahead in the 76th minute with the goal that clinched their semi-final spot.
Gael Clichy crossed from the left to Navas who fed Fernando Reges who laid off the ball to De Bruyne who bent a shot from the edge of the box low to the left of keeper Kevin Trapp, his 15th goal of the season. It was also City’s only on-target goal attempt of the night.
It was by no means over as PSG almost immediately equalised when Cavani was put clean through only for Hart to stand tall and make a vital block.
City made their first change with six minutes left when De Bruyne was replaced by Yaya Toure and soon after Silva was substituted by Fabian Delph.
It was clearly not PSG’s night as they had a second goal disallowed , this time Ibrahimovic had strayed offside.
And in stoppage time Aguero made way for Kelechi Iheanacho in a bid to eat up some of the three additional minutes.