Manchester City were beaten 4-2 by Paris St-Germain after Luis Enrique’s side built a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half, spoiling Pep Guardiola’s return as he watched from the directors’ box.

City arrived after a 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, a result followed by jubilant celebrations. But their performance against PSG was markedly different in the opening 45 minutes, when the European champions controlled the match and repeatedly exposed the home side.

Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha scored before half-time as PSG established their three-goal advantage. The scoreline was described as kind to City given the scale of PSG’s dominance during a first half in which the hosts were dismantled.

The match began amid a loud atmosphere, with Guardiola’s name ringing around the stadium at kick-off. That noise gave way to silence within 15 minutes as City struggled to cope with PSG’s intensity and attacking play.

Guardiola appeared anguished in the directors’ box, while his successor Enzo Maresca faced the same difficult spectacle from the technical area. City, who had remained composed amid the hostile atmosphere at Liverpool, looked shaken on home ground. Even players described as natural fighters, including Enzo Fernandez, were left chasing PSG’s movement.

Maresca made three changes at half-time, and City responded strongly after the interval. They created a number of opportunities and improved substantially, eventually scoring twice, although the recovery could not overturn the damage from the first half.

The second-half display gave the home supporters reason to raise the atmosphere again, and the team received a strong send-off at the final whistle despite the defeat.

There was no evident backlash from City supporters against the club’s Abu Dhabi-based owners inside the stadium. The source material says the owners had been found guilty of serious financial charges, leaving the club in crisis and attracting pariah status.

City’s response after the break offered a contrast to their difficult opening period, but PSG’s early goals ensured Luis Enrique’s team left with a 4-2 win.