Barcelona vs City - pre-match thread

[AliBobbyJ]

Some predictions.
Barcelona 3 City 4.
Aguero winner in the closing seconds.
Classic match to be watched for years and up there with Real 'Madrid putting 7 past Eintracht Frankfurt in the European Cup final back in 1960-something.

And Messi might score.

 

[Newman Noggs]

Whilst hoping for a win, all I ask is that we play to our potential and show the watching world what we can do.

Previous games against Barca, Bayern and Real Madrid have left me feeling frustrated that we simply failed to give a decent account of ourselves. It's time to show that we can perform at the highest level when it matters and show some belief that we deserve to share the stage with these teams.

 

[mancity dan]

Whilst hoping for a win, all I ask is that we play to our potential and show the watching world what we can do.

Previous games against Barca, Bayern and Real Madrid have left me feeling frustrated that we simply failed to give a decent account of ourselves. It's time to show that we can perform at the highest level when it matters and show some belief that we deserve to share the stage with these teams.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[cibaman]

My thoughts exactly.

+1.

I would also add that I would be happier if we have a go at Barca and end up losing quite heavily, rather than turn in the sort of anaemic, unambitious performance we saw in the semi final in Madrid.

 

[shemnel]

no damp squib shit like the Madrid semi, just going out there and playing well and with heart. Don't mind losing if that happens, i think we'll qualify anyway.

 

[Ric]

Whilst hoping for a win, all I ask is that we play to our potential and show the watching world what we can do.

Previous games against Barca, Bayern and Real Madrid have left me feeling frustrated that we simply failed to give a decent account of ourselves. It's time to show that we can perform at the highest level when it matters and show some belief that we deserve to share the stage with these teams.

Yeah, that's how I feel too. I won't be too disappointed if we lose, but I'd like to see us have a proper go for once.

 

[eversince 76]

Whilst hoping for a win, all I ask is that we play to our potential and show the watching world what we can do.

Previous games against Barca, Bayern and Real Madrid have left me feeling frustrated that we simply failed to give a decent account of ourselves. It's time to show that we can perform at the highest level when it matters and show some belief that we deserve to share the stage with these teams.

Copy my thoughts. Pep says he wants his team to play in a way to be remembered. Well ... let's go out, have a go and enjoy ourselves.

 

[dannyboy29]

Stones and Otamendi were both by far more culpable than Clichy for their goal.
Clichy covered 50 yards to make to make up for others' mistakes.
To engage as you put it would have been suicide, any foul and he was off.

Clichy whilst not brilliant was very good Saturday and for my money is much better suited to their diminutive quick footed attackers.

All he had to do was show him inside, Lukaku would have most probably either fell over because he would have had to use his right foot, if not then the 2 chasing defenders would have stopped him. showing him outside for a foot race was criminal and I would hope Pep made him aware of that.

 

[Ric]

No new injury worries by the sounds of it - only Sagna and Delph not involved in training today. Barca have a fully fit squad to choose from.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

We can hurt them if we get playing. No team in the world can live with our attacking players - if we can get them on the ball by building from the back. Does anyone know how much Barcelona press?

Team selection is a tough one to call. Do we go with two holding players or play the 4141? I'd probably prefer the latter, although it is risky.