Antoine Semenyo says he is “beating himself up” after failing to take one of Manchester City’s key chances in their 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.
The Ghanaian forward was one of several City players unable to convert opportunities as they suffered their first defeat in all competitions this season on Wednesday.
Enzo Maresca’s side made a poor start, conceding three times in the opening 35 minutes as the reigning European champions seized control. City improved after half-time, with Erling Haaland helping to drive their response, but their failure to capitalise on their chances proved decisive.
The hosts registered 27 attempts and an expected goals (xG) figure of 2.5, reflecting the threat they posed despite losing the match.
Semenyo had a particularly important opportunity soon after Haaland’s first goal. Scoring would have reduced the deficit to 3-2 and potentially given City further momentum as they tried to complete a comeback.
Instead, he was unable to finish, leaving the forward frustrated with his own contribution despite the team’s stronger second-half display.
“It’s quite frustrating, to be honest. I think I’m beating myself up a little bit at the moment from all the chances that I missed,” he said.
“But I think collectively it was just the reaction, and we did so well, caused so many problems. So just unfortunate not to score. So we just take the positives and go again.”
The result underlined the difference between creating chances and converting them. City applied pressure and produced opportunities, but PSG were more clinical when it mattered.
Semenyo said the way his team-mates reacted after falling three goals behind offered encouragement, particularly given the problems they caused their opponents after the interval.
He also recognised the quality of the French side and the difficulty of facing their attacking players.
“They’re one of the best, obviously … Ballon d’Or candidates all around in their team. They made it very hard for us today. We knew what to expect, very unorthodox, credit to them. That’s why they’re back-to-back European champions,” he added.
PSG’s attacking quality and early three-goal advantage placed City under sustained pressure, although the hosts showed greater urgency following the interval as they attempted to recover.
Their fightback was ultimately unsuccessful, while PSG had the chance to restore a three-goal lead late on. Ferran Torres missed a penalty that would have made the score 5-2.
For Guardiola’s team, the defeat is a setback after their strong opening to the season and raises further questions about their finishing in a game where they created several chances.
City must now regroup and improve their efficiency in front of goal as they attempt to return to winning ways. Semenyo will hope to move on from his missed opportunities, while taking confidence from the collective response that brought City back into the contest.
