Barcelona vs City - pre-match thread

[shevtheblue]

Celta Vigo showed how to play against Barca, we are no good at sitting back and defending and that was shown as Spurs pushed us back and we couldn't react.

There is a video out there somewhere of the perfect tactic that Celta used against Barca to nullify the control Basquets has in games, he is the key much lie Fernandinho is for us. They had a 4-4-1-1 formation i believe and the second striker and lone striker took it in turns to cover Basquets depending on which side of the pitch the ball was in. They robbed the ball a number of times using that and also forced Stegen into a poor pass that got Celta one of their goals. I'm sure this hasn't been missed by Pep, but whether Barca have changed to combat that is another thing. They also have Messi back and he's always a bit of an equiliser when Barca are playing shit.

 

[manimanc]

Yep, had a 40 minute cameo in the 2nd half - scored after his 3rd touch. He showed some rust from the 3 week layoff but also reminded viewers just how special a player he is. Can't wait to see this match live on Wednesday!

He's all left foot, get him onto his right and he's lost.

 

[fergal_oc]

Can see it being a lot like the RM game from a few seasons ago where we hit them on the break and bar a few minutes of panic when we thought we might actually win the game, we should have come away with all 3 points.

If we can defend solidly, learning from the spuds game and take our chances then I'm confident of getting something or at least putting in a real good show.

Vinny, Stones & Ota in a back 3, Nolito in for Sane, Aguero in for Nacho - go get em!

 

[BlumerMooner]

Glad the players don't have the same mentality as some of the fans or we are beat before we turn up.

I honestly would play maffeo for this as he has pace and fitness. Yes it's a big game, but he has nothing to lose. Zabba just can't live with their attacking line. Shame the youngster has not been given anymore playing time, I really rate him.

Rest of the team picks itself imo.

 

[Edwin Edwin]

Same formation as yesterday..Few changes though..Kompany for Clichy,Nolito for Sané to allow Raz to move back to the right & Aguero for Iheanacho..We aren't yet ready to compete in Europe but hope we give them a game.We have nothing to lose.

 

[DTKOAG]

The doom and gloom already on this thread is shite.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Although I think we will lose, I'm confident we will give them a game. We won't sit back and defend, pep doesn't play like that.

 

[kaz7]

Be happy to get away without being mauled and picking up any injuries

 

[shevtheblue]

This is the Celta Vigo vs Barca analysis i mentioned above, very interesting IMO:

 

[Cityfan]

Pep didn't have much success with Bayern against Barca and we haven't had much success against them either , so I 'm not particularly optimistic but really looking forward to the match. Great to go head to head with one of the worlds great teams at the moment with the best forward line in world football.