The Citizens have grown exponentially as a club since 2008 when the Abu Dhabi United Group acquired Manchester City. Upon the acquisition by its oil rich owners, the club benefited from a regular inflow of funds which have been since then invested on purchasing world class players from all of Europe and in the process City have established themselves as one of the strongest sides domestically.
After clinching the FA Cup title in 2011 the Citizens then went ahead to beat rivals Manchester United for the Premier League title in the 2011-2012 season which was their first in over 40 years. However much for their spending spree and their domestic dominance the Citizens have failed to make their mark in Europe.
The past two seasons have seen City failing to make it past the group stages of the competition but are confident of making it further this time around. However Barcelona may have other ideas and even though the Catalans have not been at their supreme best this season, they are still a force to reckon and City might very well once again have their European expeditions brought to an abrupt end.
However it is imperative that Man City believe in themselves and their qualities when they take field against a club historically as decorated as Barcelona. Even though City do not have a lot to show for their efforts unlike their counterparts, they are arguably the best equipped English side to beat Barcelona and the Blaugrana should be aware of their counterparts’ awe-inspiring attacking instincts.
Man City are the highest scorers in Europe’s top five leagues and have scored 15 more goals (115) than Barcelona (100) this season. From a Barcelona perspective it is important that the Catalans acknowledge this fact if they are to get anything out of the match also keeping in mind that Barcelona have been quite vulnerable at the back. Gerardo Martino’s side currently lacks a world class defender which might prove to be fruitful for the Citizens. Furthermore Barca’s flamboyant full backs Dani Alves and Jordi Alba are both known for their remarkable attacking instincts, but doing so both the players tend to compromise with their defensive responsibilities and this is another area Man City can exploit.
The English side however will gravely miss the presence of their talismanic forward Sergio Aguero. The Argentine has been phenomenal for the Etiahd side this season and might have ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides, unfortunately for him and Man City the former Atletico Madrid can watch the match only from the sidelines.
An equally momentous loss for City will be the absence of midfielder Fernandinho who has played a pivotal role in City’s success this season. With Yaya Toure promoted to a role higher up the field it is the former Shakhtar Donetsk man who has played a deeper role protecting the back four. In his absence it will be Javi Garcia who will be responsible of fielding himself in front of the backline and even though the Spanish international is a capable player he is not as talented as his Brazilian teammate.
Furthermore with Barcelona finally on full throttle following their 6-0 demolition of Rayo Vallecano Manuel Pellegrini will need to be tactically astute in order to get anything out of the match. Lionel Messi’s performances had been questioned after the Argentinean compared to his standards made a slow start to the season. The mercurial forward has now scored five in his last three games including two against Rayo Vallecano which were goals of the highest quality. Messi hitting top form is the worst kind of news to anyone associated with Man City and Pellegrini must come up with a plan to keep the four time Ballon D’or winner at bay.
The Chilean has been very persistent with his tactics this season and has fielded two strikers in most of the games City have played this season. Against Barcelona however it may prove to be a major gamble if City choose to play a two man midfield owing to the glut of talent Barcelona have in the middle of the park. It might be a better move if Pellegrini instead drops one of the strikers and plays an additional holding midfielder instead which will not just add stability but will also allow Man City to better control the midfield areas, which is absolutely imperative when playing against a team like Barcelona.
Man City have produced some breath taking performances this season especially at home, but now face one of their stiffest challenges this season. The result over the two legs will not just prove how far they have come this season, but also how far they have come in the quest of establishing themselves as an elite European football club.
