Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed confidence in Manchester City's trajectory, insisting the club remain "close" to Paris Saint-Germain's level despite falling to a 4-2 defeat against the reigning European champions.

Manchester City mounted a second-half comeback but were ultimately unable to claw back the deficit, with Paris Saint-Germain holding firm to secure a convincing win. Maresca, however, refused to be downbeat about the performance.

The result underlines the challenge facing Manchester City as they look to compete with Europe's elite, yet Maresca's assessment suggests he sees the gap as a narrow one — and closeable.