Manchester City 2-4 PSG: Pep Guardiola returns but European champions humble City

Manchester City returned to the welcoming surroundings of home for the first time since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations awash with defiance and presenting an 'us against the world' united front.

If his appearance was relatively under the radar, the fact that he chose a game certain to attract a global audience to make his return was heavy with significance.

The stand bearing his name was emblazoned with a 'CTID' - City 'Til I Die - mosaic, while the build-up to kick-off saw a display of fireworks and pyrotechnics worthy of several rock concerts.

With City providing a dramatic backdrop off the pitch, the game more than matched the setting. A second-half revival ensured embarrassment was avoided - and instead gave us a classic.

City's first step back into the limelight on the hostile territory of Anfield on Sunday ended with a 3-0 win at Liverpool and wild celebrations.

To City's great credit, and also Maresca's after he made three half-time changes, they responded superbly after the break, creating a host of chances before eventually losing 4-2.

In these surroundings, there was no question of any backlash against City's Abu Dhabi-based owners, despite the fact they were found guilty of such serious financial charges to leave the club in crisis and attracting pariah status.

A game that began in a wall of sound, with Guardiola's name resounding around the stadium at kick-off, was reduced to stunned silence in the first 15 minutes.

The players who rose in the face of the storm raging around Manchester City at Liverpool suddenly looked like they were carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, which made their outstanding display after the break even more praiseworthy.

Pep Guardiola appeared to go through every motion during Manchester City's 4-2 defeat

Erling Haaland gave City hope, which looked to be snuffed out when goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had a very poor night against his former club, saved from Maghnes Akliouche, only to see the ball drop behind him into the net.

When Josko Gvardiol had a header cleared off the line Guardiola clutched his face in anguish. When Haaland scored a goal that threatened to offer City an unlikely lifeline, he remained seated but pumped his fists into the air.