UEFA Champions League Match Preview
Question: how do you prepare for a fixture against FC Barcelona? Answer: Not with a defeat at relegation threatened Burnley. Thus with everything going against them currently, Manchester City will travel to the Camp Nou with the hope of overturning a 2 goal deficit.
Winning Premier League medal is one thing, retaining it once again takes the confidence to an even higher level. While Manchester City have been very good in doing the former, they might have to take classes from their noisy neighbors on how to do the latter. And with a 2 goal deficit waiting itself to be overturned by the Citizens at the Camp Nou, Manchester City have a mammoth task lying ahead of them in the UEFA Champions League.
This is what Manchester City ‘’enjoyed’’ at the weekend in the Premier League. Having had one of the most expensively assembled squad at the helm, enjoying a training ground that will cause even Lionel Messi to drool, Manchester City were beaten by a team that is ranked 16 places below them and is fighting to fend off relegation.
Manchester City spent more (28 million pounds) money in the January transfer window than what Burnley has managed in their entire history (25 million pounds)
In the January transfer window Manchester City spent 28million pounds, for the team who scathed them at the weekend, Burnley have spent 25million pounds in their 133 year club history. Thus, while they say that ‘’mind the gap’’, even such a staggering difference between the stature of both clubs couldn’t stop Burnley from inflicting misery at their guests.
However, like every new day brings a new challenge, the challenge that is lying ahead for the reigning Premier League Champions is as high as mount-Everest: to overturn a 2 goal deficit against a Barcelona team which follows the policy of scoring more than they concede.
Having lost just 2 matches since the dawn of new year, Barcelona are currently on the best form that they have acquired this season. On the other hand for Manchester City, they have won just 5 of the possible 11 games in 2015 which, in itself, is not a very good stat if you are going to face FC Barcelona.
While Burnley fans might deny it, Manchester City still have the artillery to score 2 or 3 against any team, however when any team is replaced by FC Barcelona, the porous defense of Manchester City looks like a gaping wound.
Taking a look at the history of Premier League teams at the Camp Nou Stadium, not many have gone there and come back with a smile on their faces. Only two teams: Liverpool and Arsenal have gone there and came back with a win.
Talking about the positives and although they are slim, it will be the tag of the underdog that might suit them against FC Barcelona. With all the odds working tireless against them and all the vultures ready to pounce on their flesh, Manchester City have the class to cause an upset.
While you may be wary of the term ‘’postdated balance cheque’’, this fixture can turn out to be a ‘’postdated departure ticket’’ for Manuel Pellegrini from the Etihad Stadium.
In the long and illustrious history of football, there are several fixtures every season that are a double-edged sword. You win them, you win a lottery and are celebrated, you lose them, and it’s catastrophe being unfolded. This fixture is one of those for Manuel Pellegrini as with no trophy apart from the Champions League to play for, a defeat in this fixture might prove to be the final stamp on his departure ticket from the Etihad Stadium in the summer.
Here is how Manchester City will lineup against Barcelona: –
Manchester City lineup:
Joe Hart – Zabaleta – Kompany – Kolarov – DeMichellis – Toure – Fernandinho – Silva – Nasri – Dzeko – Aguero
FC Barcelona Vs Manchester City will take place at the Camp Nou Stadium on Wednesday 18th March.
UEFA Champions League: How will Manchester City lineup against Barcelona
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