A fired-up Manchester City side travel to Spain with probably the toughest task that they as a team have collectively faced. After a disappointing run of form lately, barring the Capital One Cup triumph, the Sky Blues will look to finally come good against ‘the worst Barcelona team in year’ as Jose Mourinho opines.
Both teams coming off disappointing recent results, the Catalans have lost further ground in their title chasing campaign following the loss of Real Valadolid. In the Champions League however, the Catalans have been imperious. With Messi and Neymar back, there’s a swagger about this Barcelona on the European stage that only La Liga fans identify with. Slick passing, quick one-twos and a shot when the opposition expects it least has been their Achilles Heel. However, against a City side with their talismanic Argentine Sergio Aguero fit and firing, it won’t be a test for the expensively-assembled attack but for the steady yet error-prone defence. However, having secured a two-goal advantage in the away tie has given the side from Catalonia some leeway against a better than average attack, to say the least.
Manchester City have on their hands their biggest European fixture in decades. The defence was, is and will be a problem once again. With Nastasic out-injured and Demichelis suspended, the inspirational Vincent Kompany will have to partner either Joleon Lescott or a less-likely Micah Richards in defence. The return of Aguero couldn’t have possibly come at a better time. The Argentine sharp-shooter has bailed City out on one too many times for viewers not to expect a similar showing at the Camp Nou. He will be facing familiar foes. Sergio Aguero has been Barcelona’s wrecker in chief since his Atletico days. The news that he wouldn’t be able to play in the first leg must have been celebrated like a goal among the Catalan support but he is back. Though not at his clinical best, even his presence is enough to put the defence in spot of bother.
A clash of the titans, truly. Though the first leg didn’t exactly live up to the expectations expect some spectacular action in this one. A virtual 3-goal deficit is far too much even for a star-studded team like Manchester City. They may very well win the match but the tie is too far away for Pelligrini to save now. Expect a decent Barcelona Performance with Aguero and Kompany winning the hearts of the people along with the game.