Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the Group A match of the UEFA Champions League being played at the Parc de Princes in Paris, France. This was Neeladri Bhattacharjee bringing you the minute-by-minute update.

That’s all for the day. Thanks for tuning in. Goodnight and take care.

FULL-TIME

PSG 2- 0 Manchester City

Lionel Messi returns to the scoresheet for a new club this time in the Champions League as PSG secure a clear win over Man city.

 

90′ Whisting all around the stadium as City get a free kick close to the box. Danilo Perreira is subbed on for Gueye, the first goalscorer for PSG today

88′ Neymar and Mbappe now shifting gears as Ederson takes control of the ball. The ball now on the other end, gets punched by Donnarumma. What a contest this!

86′ Messi looks to be running the game now with his maiden goal for Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappe gets the assist as a lovely little one-two with the Frenchman gave the Argentine talisman the goal

83′ Donnarumma has been one of the most defining players on the pitch with City failing to find a way past the Italian

79′ SAVE! Donnarumma looks an absolute rock with a save from Jesus’ shot. Jesus has come in for Raheem Sterling

PSG has made a save too, with Gini Wijnaldum subbed on for Verratti.

74′ GOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!Messi scores his first goal for PSG with a wonderful long ranger shot assisted by Kylian Mbappe

PSG 2 – 0 Manchester City

 

Cometh the stage, cometh the goal. Messi is back in his form, back in his goals, and back with the joy of scoring!!!

72′ Marquinhos again to PSG’s resque. The Brazilian looks to be carrying the arm band well from his fellow countryman Thiago Silva, who left for Chelsea

71′ Foden exposing PSG’s defence as the Ligue 1 side hangs by strings, defending somehow. Shot from De Bruyne now that flies past the net

68′ Substitution for City! Foden replaces Grealish as City eyes an equaliser

66′ SHOT! Action on the other end with a left footed shot from Mahrez with  a regulation save from the EURO 2020 Goalkeeper of the tournament

65′ MISS! Neymar makes a brilliant run, but Walker marks him well enough as his shot goes for a side netting

62′ PSG completely on the defence now with City’s white shirts trying to create something through narrow channels

61′ Manchester City has been more aggressive throughout the game with 11 shots against 4 from PSG. City has create 9 chances as compared to 2 from PSG.

But what matters in goals and Gueye has made sure, PSG remains in front

59′ Chance! Another cross from City, but the Italian goalie punches it away

57′ A beautiful diagonal ball to switch the play from City as Mahrez tries to penetrate the right flank. Gueye marks him well to contain the attack

54′ SAVE! A through ball from Mahrez is taken control by De Bruyne who takes a shot which is saved by Donnarumma with his right leg. The Italian has been rock-solid tonight

53′ Messi’s free kick cleared by City as the PSG attack fizzles down

51′ De Bruyne’s ball grabbed by Donnarumma, but the ball slips as sterling rushes for a touch. The Italian manages to get hold of it finally

51′ Whistling from the fans as Kevin De Bruyne takes control of the ball. The ball goes out for a corner, which after being taken is cleared easily

49′ Grealish goes hard on Hakimi as he tries to get the ball and the referee blows his whistle for a foul. The Englishman not looking at all happy with the decision

47′ Chance! PSG exposed as Sterling takes a shot that goes off target. Poch cheering form the sidelines

46′ Second half underway with City lucky to De Bruyne on the pitch after the horrendous tackle on Gueye, the match’s lone goal scorer so far

Second Half Begins!

HALF TIME!

You…yes you. Tell us your predictions for this Champions League clash in Paris, France.

 

PSG 1 – 0 Manchester City

The host enjoys a slender lead as it gets back to the dressing room after the first half.

 

45+1′ City on the attack, with Grealish to Mahrez, and Neymar marks him well enough to just ward off a shot from the Algerian

43′ SAVE! Rodri flies in the ball as Hakimi comes to PSG’s rescue, clearing it for a corner. The corner is taken with a set piece bullet header by Dias, which is saved by Donnarumma.

41′ Gueye is still on the ground and eventually gets up. De Bruyne is relieved the foul decision is not exacerbated

39′ ANOTHER YELLOW FOR CITY! Kevin De Bruyne goes for the ball, but lands on Gueye’s boots to be awarded a yellow card, City’s second booking of the game

38′ SAVE! Mbappe makes a run on the right and his pass is met by Herrera, who takes a shot, which is stopped by Ederson

37′ Mendes who looked struggling with an injury back on field again. Mahres on the other end passes to Kevin De Bruyne, whose shot is stopped by Donnarumma. He has been the busier keeper today

35′ Neymar takes a long-range shot after a pass from Mendes, that flies well off target. Good job from Lionel Messi to switch the game

33′ Sterling makes a run, whose through ball is stopped by Marquinhos. In the o ther match AC Milan leads against Atletico Madrid 1-0 with the side reduced to 10 men now. Kessie is sent off!

31′ Bernardo Silva to Mahrez to Rodri and he takes a shot which is stopped by Donnarumma.

29′ A penalty box coming together as Herrera’s shot misses his own goal. PSG living dangerously now

28′ Save! City switches the play and Mahrez takes a shot which lacks force and is easily grabbed by the Italian goalie

26′ Chance! Bernardo Silva’s shot somehow hits the goal post and misses the goal-line. PSG avoids an equaliser

25′ Sterling tries to make s run as Donnarumma comes out to clear the ball out

24′ Yellow Card for Manchester City! Cancelo tries to mitigate a counter attack from PSG and is booked in the process. He gets the first yellow card of the match

21′ De Bruyne’s corner wasted as City loses the ball with PSG pouncing on it. Mbappe to Messi, who loses it.

20′ Grealish tries to exploit gaps in the opponent’s box, but the PSG Captain clears the ball with equal power

18′ Idrissa Gueye has scored more goals this season (4) than Lionel Messi and Neymar combined. Clinical!

17′ Kimpembe brings down Sterling as the referee gives a foul. City now, creating something form the midfield – Rodri to Mahrez. City pressing very well for the moment

15′ City on the attack with Mahrez coming in form the right, but Donnarumma manages to prevent Sterling from getting hold of the ball

13′ Grealish’ pass just too much for Silva as the two midfielders try to create something along the left flank. Messi on the run on the other side now

11′ Mbappe marked well enough to stop his movement as the ball goes back into the  midfield

8′ GOOAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! Gueye scores for PSG to put the host up front

PSG 1 – 0 Man City

 

Mbappe and Messi create the goal as Gueye finishes in style

5′ Messi’s first real chance, but City makes sure his through pass is stopped mid-way as PSG’s attempt for the first attack is fizzled down

4′ Cancelo’s ball to Grealish on the left who is ruled off-side. City on the attack from the beginning

2′ De Bruyne’s ball managed well by Marquinhos as he clears the ball away

1′ City trying to create something along the left flank, and the ball is move to the right for Walker as Donnarumma takes control of the ball

12-30 KICK OFF!

Manchester City starts from left to right with the host on the other end of the field. Messi is yet to find his first goal for PSG.

12-28 pm: Messi walks out on the pitch with both out and ready with the UCL anthem ringing loud throughout the stadium.

12-25 am: Five minutes to Kick off!

Manchester City has had three games to play this week, which might explain Pep’s policy of squad rotation. Manchester City is unbeaten in 10 games away from home as it takes on PSG in France.

12-15 am: 15 Minutes to Kick off!

The stage os set with M-N-M, Messi, Mbappe and Neymar up front against Guardiola’s City, which is eyeing the Champions league after a loss in last year’s final.

12-10 am: Another fact to keep you predicting odds of success. Messi has scored the most goals against Pep Guardiola in the Champions League – six goals in four games (4 vs Man City and 2 vs Bayern Munich)

11-59 pm: Manchester City is undefeated in the last four meetings against the Ligue 1 side with three wins and one draw.

PSG, however, starts against Man City for the first time with Messi in its side. The stage is well set for a professor vs protege battle.

11-50 pm: Lionel Messi loves to  score against English teams. Remember his performance against Manchester United?

He has scored most Champions League goals against English teams, with 26 goals in 34 games. Will he deliver a similar performance against the other side of Manchester?

11-45 pm: 45 Minutes to Kick-off!

Messi has scored six times in his last 4 face-offs against former boss Guardiola. Will he be able to get on the scoresheet today?

Messi’s peak at the Camp Nou came in Guardiola’s final season there, in 2011-12, when he scored an incredible 73 goals.   –  AP

 

Keep following this space for live updates.

11-30 pm: Confirmed Line Ups:

PSG XI: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos (C), Kimpembe, Mendes, Herrera, Gueye, Verratti, Neymar, Messi, Mbappe

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Ruben Dias (C), Walker, Cancelo, Laporte, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Sterling, Mahrez, Grealish

PSG made four changes while Manchester City made two with Foden and Jesus on the bench today.

Match Preview

There was a time when a reunion between Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola looked distinctly possible, but on Tuesday they will be on opposite sides again when Paris Saint-Germain plays Manchester City in the Champions League.

Had it not been for Jack Grealish, perhaps things would have turned out differently.

City announced the £100 million ($139m) signing of Grealish from Aston Villa on August 5, the same day Barcelona revealed Messi would not be staying at the Camp Nou.

A year ago, when Messi tried to force his departure from Catalonia, City appeared the most likely destination.

READ: Chelsea’s Kante to miss Juventus trip due to COVID-19, says Tuchel

In the end, Barcelona prevented the six-time Ballon d’Or winner from leaving then and 12 months later Messi was prepared to stay put until it became clear the financial mess at the Camp Nou meant he could not.

If City had anticipated Messi becoming available, it might have moved for him. But instead, it focused its sights on Grealish and was trying to sign Harry Kane, a move that ultimately didn’t happen.

“Right now it is not in our thoughts,” Guardiola said when asked if City might move for Messi.

It says much about the modern game that PSG was the only other realistic destination for the 34-year-old who Guardiola has described as the greatest player of all time.

Messi has played just three games for his new club and is yet to score. He has sat out PSG’s last two matches with a knee problem but the feeling is that Mauricio Pochettino has been saving him for City.

READ: Koeman cautious over Fati as Barca faces Benfica

After being held 1-1 by Club Brugge in its opening game, PSG needs a positive result against City to stop its rivals taking control of its Champions League group.

On the receiving end

Messi will fancy opening his account in Paris on such an occasion, and Guardiola has already been on the receiving end of the Argentine’s genius in Europe.

After Guardiola left Barcelona in 2012 at the end of four glorious years in which he oversaw Messi’s transition from a superstar in the making to the best in the world, he faced his old club for the first time in the Champions League semi-finals in 2015.

Barcelona beat Guardiola’s Bayern 5-3 on aggregate on the way to winning the trophy. Messi produced a sublime performance to score two late goals in a 3-0 first-leg win at the Camp Nou that effectively killed the tie.

The only other time the duo have come up against each other was in the group stage in 2016, just after Guardiola arrived at City.

READ: Man United defenders Maguire, Shaw miss training

Messi scored a hat-trick as Barca won 4-0 at the Camp Nou and he then put his side ahead in Manchester, but City won 3-1.

This time the expectation is both City and PSG will progress from its group and both men are desperate to win the Champions League again — the last of Messi’s four titles came in 2015, while Guardiola has not lifted the trophy since Messi inspired Barcelona to a 3-1 win over Manchester United in the 2011 final.

While the world waits to see how Messi’s move to Paris turns out, Guardiola continues to regret the absence of a prolific centre-forward as the final piece of his jigsaw at City.

That was evident on Saturday when, for all their chances, it was restricted to a single goal by Gabriel Jesus in a 1-0 win at Chelsea.

READ: UEFA nullifies proceedings against Super League rebels

Prior to that Guardiola had spoken of his regret at City’s lack of a “weapon” up front.

“The club needs in the next years a striker. When it’s not possible, it’s not possible, we move on with the fantastic squad we have,” he said.

PSG, of course, have more than one such player. Kylian Mbappe has been the top scorer in France in each of the last three seasons.

Messi left Barcelona as its all-time top scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances.

His peak at the Camp Nou came in Guardiola’s final season there, in 2011-12, when he scored an incredible 73 goals.

Nobody knows Messi’s game better than Guardiola, but nobody knows better than Pep that there is no stopping Messi when he is at the top of his game.

The game is scheduled for a kick-off at 12-30 am IST.

Where can you watch?

Champions League matches will be telecast on Sony Ten network and can be streamed live on the OTT Platforms Jio TV and Sony LIV.7