Player Ratings | PSG 2-0 Manchester City, Lionel Messi brilliance rounds off a professional and stoic display from PSG | OneFootball

Champions League – Group A: PSG 1-0 Manchester City

PSG:

Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6 – Made three important saves, although efforts from Dias and Mahrez were relatively simple. The save from De Bruyne at 1-0 was key however.

Achraf Hakimi, 7 – Involved in the first goal and progressed a handful of other dangerous moves from his flank having defended with desire and alertness throughout. Worries over space in behind were unfounded, at least on this occasion.

Marquinhos, 7 – A typically bullish, proactive defensive display from the captain. True leadership, something often missing with Thiago Silva as captain. Imperious in the air.

Presnel Kimpembe, 7 – Much more decisive that has become the norm of late, as he was against Montpellier at the weekend, and defended with a controlled aggression and hunger throughout.

Nuno Mendes, 6 – Nervy at times early on in possession but tracked runners from wide areas well and covered Mahrez well in the second half especially.

Ander Herrera, 5 – Outshone by Gueye but again underlined how important his all round ability at both ends of the pitch, in conjunction with Gueye especially, could be for PSG this season. Should have done better with Mbappé’s first half cut back.

Idrissa Gueye, 8 – Everywhere. Repeatedly won the ball back in midfield areas and often aided his centre-backs in and around the box. Crucially, he used that possession astutely throughout and it was his precise finish into the top corner early on that set PSG on their way.

Marco Verratti, 7 – Faded in the second half before his late withdrawal but proved what a difference he can make with his scrappy dribbling out of trouble, clever passing and, uncharacteristically, even some well timed tackling.

Lionel Messi, 7 – Did just about enough for a 7 thanks to his glorious second that sealed the points for Paris, running from deep and playing a one-two before curling in from the edge of the area in typical style. His passing was often intermittent in forward areas but much neater in deeper positions, although his use of the ball improved overall as the game wore on.

Neymar, 4 – Another frustrating display from Neymar, struggled to create and didn’t really positively affect the game as needed, often slowing play down. Perhaps should have scored when put through by Hakimi in the second half.

Kylian Mbappé, 7 – Very sloppy in possession after half time but was key to both goals and was the only Paris man to pose a consistent threat and might have had two more first half assists when cutting in from wide. It was his run and cut back that eventually fell to Gueye for 1-0 and then he played the role of Luis Suárez in returning the ball to Messi for the second.

Others: Pereira 5, Wijnaldum 5.