PSG brings embattled Man City down to earth after pre-match show of defiance in the Champions League

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City wowed fans with a spectacular fireworks show and a highlights reel of some of its greatest hits before Wednesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

It quickly went downhill from there.

In what could be interpreted as a latest display of defiance from the embattled club — which has been found guilty of widespread financial wrongdoing — City produced a slick pre-match show reminding supporters of the good times with footage of its most iconic moments on the Etihad Stadium's big screens.

On the field, however, the highlights belonged to PSG in a blistering first-half performance, which saw the back-to-back European champion race to a 3-0 lead at the break, including two goals in quick succession.

And even if City mounted a spirited second-half fightback, a 4-2 loss brought the club down to earth after the triumphalism that some found off-putting in the wake of Sunday's 3-0 Premier League victory against Liverpool.

“Against this kind of team it’s already difficult when you are 0-0 and and then in two minutes you concede two goals, probably we lost a little bit of balance,” City coach Enzo Maresca said. “I think we can learn many things. First of all even if we concede two goals against probably the best team in Europe in this moment, we need to continue to do the right things.”

With former City manager Pep Guardiola watching on from the stands, PSG’s first-half blitz sobered the atmosphere after the rousing pre-match show.

Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha all scored and the defending champion created numerous other chances to extend its lead.

This was City's first home game since an independent panel found that it broke Premier League rules by artificially inflating its revenue by more than $1 billion over nearly a decade on its way to dominating English soccer.

City has appealed, leaving an air of uncertainty over the club's future and the season as a whole, with potential punishments including a huge fine, points deductions or even expulsion from England's top flight.

The Emirati-owned City has always pleaded its innocence and along with its fans has been resolute in its determination to clear its name.

This was the first chance to put on a show of solidarity at its home stadium since the verdict.

A huge banner was hung with the words: “I know I am, I’m sure I am, I’m City til I die”.

The highlight reel included Sergio Aguero's famous title-winning goal in 2012 as well as other moments predating the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008.

In the stands, Guardiola — on his first return to the club since stepping down at the end of last season — sat behind club chief executive Ferran Soriano.

Despite the verdict, City has refused to be bowed and the win against Liverpool was evidence its players could put the outside noise to one side and focus on the field.

PSG, however, was different story.

Another club that has benefited wildly from investment from the Middle East through its Qatari backers, the French giant has built the finest team in Europe and lived up to that billing by sweeping City aside in the first half.

It was the type of performance to suggest it is capable of a Champions League three-peat, emulating the all-time king of Europe Real Madrid.

At the break it felt like City could be on the end of a humbling defeat.

However, Enzo Maresca's team managed to turn a would-be rout into a thrilling clash.

Erling Haaland scored two goals, two efforts came back off the woodwork and another chance was cleared off the line.

Maghnes Akliouche's goal, in between Haaland's, effectively ensured there would be no comeback and Ferran Torres then failed to score a fifth for the visitors from the penalty spot.

“It’s not important to be the best in the competition now, it’s important to be the best in the final,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

PSG's Maghnes Akliouche celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

PSG's Desire Doue celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City former manager Pep Guardiola, center top attends the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

The result is displayed on the screen after PSG's Vitinha scored their third goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland reacts after PSG's Maghnes Akliouche scoree their fourth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in Manchester, England, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears are navigating a tricky situation with their quarterbacks while working through a murky picture along their defensive line.

Coach Ben Johnson has a lot going on at the moment.

Caleb Williams was projected as a full participant on the injury report for the team's walkthrough on Wednesday, but Johnson declined to announce his starting quarterback for this weekend's game at Atlanta. Williams hasn't played since he hurt his right hamstring in the fourth quarter of a 9-3 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 20.

Tyson Bagent started Sunday’s 31-7 loss at Green Bay and threw two interceptions. Case Keenum was picked off and lost a fumble after replacing Bagent early in the fourth quarter.

“In regards to the quarterback situation, a lot of things have gone through our minds,” Johnson said. “First and foremost, health is the No. 1 priority for all three guys. I don’t know that any of them are exactly 100% at this point in the season. That’s something that we certainly look at.”

Another complicating factor is a quick turnaround from Sunday's matchup with Atlanta to next Thursday's home game against the New England Patriots.

The 24-year-old Williams worked out on the field before the loss to the Packers. Asked if he was preparing for Williams to start against the Falcons, Johnson said it's still a fluid situation.

“But I feel good about the plan that we have in place at this point,” he said.

Beyond Williams, it's unclear who exactly is regarded as the team's No. 2 QB at the moment. Bagent began the season as Williams' backup, but he was 12 for 21 for just 87 yards against the Packers.

“I think once again, I put our struggles on myself more than anything else from the game the other day,” Johnson said, “and I have to do a better job making sure we get in a rhythm on offense, regardless of who’s playing the quarterback position.”

Depth along the defensive line also has become a major question after Montez Sweat was suspended for two games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy. Dayo Odeyingbo departed Sunday's loss with a quadriceps injury, and Johnson said the 27-year-old defensive end is expected to miss some time.

Shemar Turner replaced Sweat on Chicago’s roster, but he is a bit of a wild card after opening the season on the physically unable to perform list while continuing his recovery from a torn ACL. The 23-year-old Turner was a second-round selection in last year’s draft.

Austin Booker, who has a team-high four sacks, likely will see increased playing time while Sweat and Odeyingbo are out. Jamree Kromah and Jayden Loving also could figure into the mix after they were inactive against Green Bay.

“The good thing is we have really planned for this,” Johnson said. “We’ve got some guys on the active roster that haven’t even been active yet. Some defensive linemen that we feel really strongly about and what they did during training camp. This might be their opportunity as well.”

Chicago also could be without linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive back Tyrique Stevenson for the matchup with Atlanta because of hamstring injuries. Edwards had a did-not-practice designation on Wednesday, and Stevenson was listed as limited.

Johnson described Stevenson as more day to day, while Edwards is more of a week-to-week situation.

The defensive injuries make the already daunting task of stopping Falcons running back Bijan Robinson even more difficult.

“It takes a whole unit to attempt to slow down a special player like Bijan, God-given ability to see, to burst, to separate, to contact balance,” said defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, a Georgia native who spent his first 10 seasons with the Falcons. "I mean this is a really, really special player, special person, and he knows he’s the bloodline of that organization. So we’ve got a heck of a challenge ahead of us.”

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

FILE - Chicago Bears defensive lineman Montez Sweat leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Aug. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams is seen before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson talks after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)