Thursday , December 5 2024

De Bruyne sends Manchester City into semi-finals

Despite PSG throwing all of their attacking options on the field, it was Kevin De Bruyne who sealed a 1-0 win for Manchester City to see the English side through to the Champions League semi-finals.

De Bruyne wheels away in celebration after his superb finish from the edge of the area sealed City's first Champions League semi-final

Manuel Pellegrini’s men secured a 2-2 draw in the first leg, and it was the Belgian’s 76th minute effort that was enough to send the Citizens into the final four for the first time in club history.

Laurent Blanc will wonder how his side failed to score despite fielding Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Lucas Moura, Javier Pastore and Angel Di Maria at the same time, as they were once again dumped from the competition in the quarter-finals.

PSG’s best chance of the first half came via Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede lashed a freekick at Joe Hart in the 16th minute, but the England No.1 tipped the effort over the bar at full stretch.

PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (left) strikes a viscious free-kick which was well saved by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart

City were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 30th minute. Aguero was taken down by Kevin Trapp after skipping in on goal, resulting in a penalty.

However just like Ibrahimovic in the first leg, the Argentine failed to hit the back of the net as his effort skipped wide of the target to the relief of the French side.

 

Although the home side ended the first half on the front foot, it’s no surprise PSG pushed forward in search of goals after the restart. Captain Thiago Silva came got on the end of Lucas Moura’s cross, forcing Hart to palm the effort away.

City wrapped up the tie in the 76th minute. Gael Clichy’s low cross fell to De Bruyne, and the Belgian curled a pinpoint effort into the bottom left corner much to the delight of the home crowd.

De Bruyne curled the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from the edge of the box past the helpless Kevin Trapp in PSG's goal

Thus Pellegrini’s dream of securing the Champions League continues, while the French side will no doubt be disappointed to once again fall at the quarter-final stage.

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