Manchester City‘s new era under Enzo Maresca suffered its first real test of credibility on Wednesday night, as the hosts were beaten 4-2 by Paris Saint-Germain in a breathless UEFA Champions League league-phase clash at the Etihad Stadium.

The result ended City’s unbeaten start in this season’s competition and came at the end of a torrid week off the pitch for the club, who have been grappling with the fallout of a Premier League financial rules verdict.

On the field, though, the story was a familiar one for City in recent European nights against elite opposition: a slow, costly start that proved impossible to fully repair.

PSG, roared on by their own attacking brilliance, raced into a commanding lead inside the opening half-hour, scoring three times to leave the home supporters stunned.

Erling Haaland hauled City back into contention with two goals after the break, but Luis Enrique’s side held on to claim a 4-2 win that underlined the gulf City must close if they are to be considered genuine contenders again.

“We lost a little bit the balance” – Maresca explains first-half collapse

“At half-time We adjusted a little the way we were pressing, adjusted something on the ball. I think it’s been a bit strange not because of the way we were pressing or attacking, it’s been a bit strange because we conceded two in two minutes, and I think we lost a little bit the balance. And then second-half, it was completely a different game,” Enzo Maresca said.

The Italian, who took charge at City in the summer as successor to Pep Guardiola, insisted the problem was as much psychological as it was tactical once his side fell behind against a team of PSG’s calibre.

“Against these kind of teams, if you don’t got toe-to-toe, you’ll struggle. You have to be brave, you have to go, and in the second-half we were even more in terms of off the ball, pressing, and on the ball also we made some adjustments,” Maresca explained.

Despite the manner of the defeat, the former Chelsea and Leicester boss made clear he relished the challenge posed by the French champions, who have established themselves among Europe’s most feared sides.

“I really like to play PSG, to be honest! They’re brave, I know the way they want to press, they go, they don’t care, man-to-man all over the pitch. On the ball they’re quite dynamic! I like to play them!” he said.

Maresca insists City are “close” despite the setback

Rather than dwelling solely on the scoreline, Maresca chose to focus on the signs of progress in his team’s second-half response, which saw them outplay PSG for long stretches without finding a route back into the game.

“I think we’re there, to be honest. My feeling is we are there, we are close! The reason why, for me, we struggled first-half is because we conceded two and when you’re inside the pitch you know it’s already difficult against them, then you think, ‘Oh my God! We are 0-2 down now!’ So it becomes even more difficult!” he said.

“But second-half we created enough to deserve more, to be honest… We lost, we can learn, and move on!”

The defeat leaves Maresca with plenty to reflect on as he continues the task of reshaping City in his own image following Guardiola’s departure after a decade of unprecedented success.

Haaland’s double at least offered a reminder of the firepower still at his disposal, and the second-half improvement will give the dressing room something to build on heading into the club’s next continental assignment.

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