"City up there with Barca"?

[blueprint]

'Arry says so.

With today's lineup I would say so. The blueprint to City's Jogo Bonito.

A kind advice to Mancini , don't tinker with that. Remember we would lose 2-1 to Spuds or have a slew of draws with the usual suspects in our lineup.

City has been given the financial wherewithal and Mancini have the squad NOW.

May we continue to peg our opponents at their ends and PYLONNED around their midfield.

Attack & Defend as an Unit!

 

[UlsterCitizen]

What he said - I think

 

[Aguero is my king]

In terms of players, maybe.

In terms of team, absolutely not.

Come on blues, lets not get carried away with ourselves.

 

[Citizen52]

Have to say, some of the ball retention and interplay was reminiscent of them today, but we would only truly be able to compare should we progress from the group and possibly meet them down the line.

Still can't believe that scoreline today after not winning there for 20 years but trying to keep everything in context as it will be a long season, but that said it's looking really promising!

 

[blueprint]

The premise on what I'm suggesting is that in order to play like Barca we have to be setup like one with the skilful & offensive minded players with the ability to defend in packs too.
And Always have the mantra to play for a WIN.

Capello picks 11 players from Manchester for England.
Can we say this is akin to Barca (MC) & RM (Scums) for Spain?

 

[SambaStyle]

No

But 2nd or 3rd best team in the world right now

 

[erast fandorin]

Have to say, some of the ball retention and interplay was reminiscent of them today, but we would only truly be able to compare should we progress from the group and possibly meet them down the line.

Still can't believe that scoreline today after not winning there for 20 years but trying to keep everything in context as it will be a long season, but that said it's looking really promising!

? Won there 7/8 years ago Sommeil getting one didn,t we?

 

[johnmc]

"City up there with Barca"?

Without messi then yes. Buy they have messi and he is the difference between barca and anyone else. Sure the rest of the team is class but he can score from nothing.

 

[blueprint]

Re:

Without messi then yes. Buy they have messi and he is the difference between barca and anyone else. Sure the rest of the team is class but he can score from nothing.

Aguero's goal, outwit, outpaced & outmuscled Dawson, augurs well!
OTOH Barca don't have one in Dzeko!

 

[SambaStyle]

Reasons why Barca are still a few levels ahead

1. Messi - best in world by far
2. Xavi, Iniesta - both in top 5 top players currently, maybe top 3-4 along with Ronaldo.
3. Their system - best team on ball and best team off it, when they lose the ball their closing down is incredible. The whole team harasses the player off the ball straight away, we'd have the same problems Arsenal did last season at Camp Nou vs them. It's great to have Aguero, Nasri, Silva etc but how much of the ball will they get?

 

[lee-mcfc]

no, got a long way to go if we want to be compared with barca or "up there with barca"

on paper though..close

on pitch..no

 

[SambaStyle]

I think we could beat them if we played them 5 times a season like Real did last season, finally find a method on how to play them.<br /><br />-- Mon Aug 29, 2011 1:14 am --<br /><br />If we want to emulate them we should go for Modric and play him instead of Barry.

Have

Nasri-Yaya-Modric

Silva-Dzeko-Aguero

 

[Yaya_Tony]

Watching Barca in last years CL quarters and final, (missed the CL semi) I said to my bro "next season we can boss Barca."

Stand by that.

 

[blumoonrisen]

Well, we'll be playin them this season so we'll find out... I'd be confident.

 

[blueprint]

Watching Barca in last years CL quarters and final, (missed the CL semi) I said to my bro "next season we can boss Barca."

Stand by that.

Other than Messi, we have a better 'lethal strike force' in Dzeko, Aguero et al than Barca. I would say yes.

May our strikers continue to 'finish' them!

 

[bluetoo]

just no

 

[Nurah]

Let's keep things in perspective. Barca have been dominant in their current system for two-three years running now; we seem to have finally hit upon something in the past three games. Also, compare how easy it is to name their strongest starting XI with all the room for debate in ours. They're just much more drilled and experienced than we are, although if we keep going like this then I think we will have a fighting chance of matching them eventually in the CL.

 

[WNRH]

city are exciting to watch, barca are not.

 

[Bazzmand Show]

I still feel we are the only team in the world equipped to actually try and go "toe to toe" with them.

 

[supermicahrichards]

In terms of players, maybe.

In terms of team, absolutely not.

Come on blues, lets not get carried away with ourselves.

this. Let's get out of our first champions league group before we even mention that we're remotely close to Barca's class. We've been great this season, and are going to be right up there with the rags for the title...and have a squad that's capable of making a champs league run but Barca is the class of the world, and you need to win more than the FA Cup to compare yourself to them.<br /><br />-- Mon Aug 29, 2011 2:54 am --<br /><br />

In terms of players, maybe.

In terms of team, absolutely not.

Come on blues, lets not get carried away with ourselves.

this. Let's get out of our first champions league group before we even mention that we're remotely close to Barca's class. We've been great this season, and are going to be right up there with the rags for the title...and have a squad that's capable of making a champs league run but Barca is the class of the world, and you need to win more than the FA Cup to compare yourself to them.