Enzo Maresca has claimed that Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique admitted his side were fortunate to beat Manchester City 4-2 after a dramatic Champions League encounter.
Manchester City suffered a painful defeat against PSG despite making a promising start and creating several opportunities to get back into the contest. Maresca, speaking to TNT Sports after the match, insisted that his team deserved a better outcome, particularly after their improved second-half performance.
The result left City frustrated after a game in which a damaging spell saw them concede twice in quick succession, turning a competitive contest into an uphill battle.
Maresca admitted that the two rapid goals had a significant psychological impact on his players, making an already difficult challenge even harder.
“We started well but conceded the two quick goals and that created bad feelings. Second half we were much better and deserved something more.
“Was strange as until the first goal we played good, we were in the game. It was very difficult and then when you concede two goals in two minutes it becomes even worse. We adjusted something at half-time and didn’t lose the balance. We adjusted the way we pressed and what we did on the ball.
The City manager’s assessment pointed to the importance of PSG’s clinical finishing during a decisive period of the match. Although his team had been competitive before the breakthrough, the quick succession of goals left them chasing the game.
However, Maresca was encouraged by Manchester City’s response after the interval. He explained that tactical adjustments at half-time helped his players regain their structure and improve their approach both in possession and when pressing PSG.
Despite the deficit, City continued to create chances and attempted to force their way back into the contest. For Maresca, that attacking threat was evidence that his side deserved more than the final score suggested.
Asked whether Manchester City merited a better result, the coach stood by his players and pointed to an alleged admission from his opposite number.
“I think so. Even at 3-0 down and the amount of chances we created, we deserved something more. Luis Enrique was honest at the end of the game, saying ‘we were quite lucky today’.”
Maresca’s comments placed the spotlight on the fine margins that shaped the Champions League encounter. While PSG ultimately secured the 4-2 victory, the City boss believes the volume of opportunities his team created should have translated into a more favourable result.
For PSG, the win demonstrated their ability to punish opponents during crucial moments, even when the opposition threatened a comeback. For City, the defeat raised questions about their defensive concentration during key spells and their ability to turn attacking pressure into goals.
Nevertheless, Maresca’s assessment was clear: Manchester City did not give up after falling behind, and their second-half response offered reasons to believe they could have taken something from the game.
Enrique’s alleged post-match admission, as relayed by Maresca, added another talking point to an already eventful European night, with the City manager maintaining that the final score did not fully reflect his team’s performance.
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