Pep Guardiola acknowledged his Manchester City side “could not cope” with Paris Saint-Germain after a dramatic 4-2 defeat on Wednesday, leaving their Champions League ambitions hanging by a thread. Despite a strong start, City surrendered a two-goal lead, with PSG’s attacking firepower proving too much to handle.

“They were better, we have to accept it,” Guardiola said after the match at Parc des Princes. “We have the last chance at home against Bruges. We will do everything there, and if we don’t make it, it’s because we don’t deserve it.”

City were in control early in the second half as Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland both scored, giving them a 2-0 lead. But PSG fought back, with Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola pulling them level, before Joao Neves’ header and a stoppage-time goal from Goncalo Ramos sealed the win.

As a result, PSG leapfrogged City in the standings, leaving Guardiola’s team in 25th place with eight points from seven games. Only the top 24 teams will advance to the knockout stages, and City’s hopes now rest on their final group-stage match at home against Club Brugge next Wednesday. A win would see the 2023 European champions through to the play-off round.

Before that, City face Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, with both teams fighting for a top-four finish. Guardiola expressed his respect for PSG’s quality: “PSG is an exceptional team. We could not cope with them.”

Guardiola also pointed to PSG's dominance in midfield as a key factor in the match’s outcome. “When one team plays better, you have to accept it. Now we need to focus on Chelsea and Bruges.”

City will also be monitoring the fitness of Ruben Dias, who was substituted at halftime due to discomfort after recently returning from injury.

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