Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca believes his side deserved more than their 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, claiming even Luis Enrique admitted the French champions were lucky.
City suffered their first European defeat of the season at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, trailing by three goals in the first half.
Erling Haaland scored twice after the break to give the hosts hope of a comeback, but PSG held on to take all three points.
Despite the result, Maresca was encouraged by City’s second-half performance and insisted his players created enough chances to take something from the game.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Maresca admitted that his team struggled to recover after conceding two goals in a row.
“I think we started really well until the first goal, then we conceded the second goal a minute later. That created some bad feelings,” he said.
“We were better in the second half and probably deserved more.
“Honestly, it was a bit strange. We started well until the first goal, we were in the game, then we conceded the first, then the second.
“We didn’t lose a break, we adjusted something. We created enough to deserve more.”
Maresca reveals Luis Enrique’s “lucky” confession
City improved after the interval when Haaland scored twice as the hosts tried to restore their three-goal lead.
Maresca explained that tactical adjustments to City’s pressing had helped his players create more opportunities, although he admitted that their defensive balance had suffered.
“We adjusted a little bit when we pressed. I think we lost a little bit of balance,” he said.
“Even if it was 3-0 in the first half, we deserved more despite the number of chances we created in the second half.
“Luis said at the end of the game that they were very lucky today.
“You have to be clinical, but you don’t lose balance.”