Although Paris Saint-Germain had won their first eight Ligue 1 Uber Eats matches of the season to figure and runaway leaders, an underwhelming performance in the 1-1 draw away to Club Brugge on Matchday 1 - and the fact that the capital club's dream-team front three of Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar had yet to gel - saw the pressure mounting as Tuesday's clash with City loomed.

'Let's continue like this!'

But Mauricio Pochettino's men found the perfect antidote, putting together a superb display to withstand the pressure of Pep Guardiola's side and make the most of their chances, with Idrissa Gueye (08') and - thanks to a deft one-two with Mbappé and a trademark clinical finish - Messi (74') doing the damage.

"For the goal, everything went very quickly," said Messi who, despite going for long stretches without a touch, well and truly produced the goods when the opportunity arose. "It was a counter, I played it to Kylian who set it back to me first time and I was able to shoot immediately. I am very happy with this goal, it's my second match here at the Parc. I am happy to have been able to celebrate with my teammates and all of the supporters, especially during such an important match. I am very happy on a personal level, but also with the result. Let's continue like this!"

'Grow together'

And, according to the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, it's only the beginning...

"The more we play together, the better it will be," said Messi of his mouth-watering partnership with Mbappé and Neymar. "We all have to grow together, increase our level of play. We have to give our best and continue to do so."

The result puts Paris Saint-Germain on top of Group A with four points - ahead of Club Brugge on goal difference - as they head into their late-October/early-November double-header against an RB Leipzig who sit in bottom place in the group.