1 City spirit
Having worked so hard to fashion the opener through Kevin De Bruyne, the manner in which City conceded just before half-time was a stinging body blow. It would have been easy to fold after that, and the signs looked ominous when Adrien Rabiot put PSG ahead. Manuel Pellegrini’s men not only resisted the second-half onslaught, they counter-punched. And if anything, City looked the more likely winners in the final moments. That says everything about the mental and physical strength of the Blues.
2 De Bruyne brilliance
What can you say about the brilliant Belgian? Having caressed a sublime volley in against Bournemouth on his comeback game, De Bruyne opted for brute force against PSG and almost broke the net with his first half finish. Champions League football is all about taking your chances and with De Bruyne fit again and in form, City seem much more likely to capitalise on any opportunities that may arise.
3 Hart stopper
Hart became the only keeper to make two Champions League penalty saves when he thwarted Ibrahimovic - his other stop against Borussia Monchengladbach’s Raffael. The fact that he did it just two-and-half weeks after being stretchered off against United makes the feat even more remarkable. England keeper Hart has the presence and personality to stand up to the likes of Zlatan; City’s skipper on the night led his players with aplomb.
4 Paying the penalty
One of the big refereeing talking points from the night was the award of Luiz’s penalty. Referee Milorad Mazic pointed to the spot when David Luiz went over Bacary Sagna’s leg. The key question is did Luiz initiate the contact? BT Sport analyst and former World Cup referee Howard Webb felt so, although the Yorkshireman did acknowledge it was a tough call to make in real time.
5 Second ball
There are surely more questions than answers after that first leg. Although statistics suggest City have a clear advantage because of away goals - 79.4 per cent of teams that draw 2-2 in their away leg go through - this tie does not feel like one that will follow a predictable path. What City can count on is the home faithful roaring them on at the Etihad Stadium and another unmissable night in the Club’s history.
