Manchester City 1 - 2 Barcelona: Player Ratings

Luis Enrique's Barcelona claimed a valuable 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Manchester City on Tuesday night. 


(Image via Manchester City Official Facebook)

The scoreline flattered City who were victimised by their own manager's flawed tactics in the first half. Fernando, who was preferred over Manuel Pellegrini's best signing, Fernandinho, again demonstrated that he is unable to influence a game at this level, and a wide-eyed 4-4-2 formation played into the hands of a team known for their poise in possession and ferocity on the counter attack. 

City conceded two goals in those first forty-five minutes, and not even a spirited second half display orchestrated by Sergio Agüero could make up for such tactical recklessness. Barcelona were extraordinary; Lionel Messi was sensational, but after last year's humiliation, one would have expected Pellegrini to learn from his mistakes. 

He didn't, and was forced to thank his goalkeeper for keeping his side in the tie with a superb last minute save from Messi's penalty kick. 

What is particularly frustrating is that City do have the ability to match Barcelona, but set up in a 4-4-2 formation with the wrong players on the pitch, they were asking for a beating. City were humiliated with regards to class, but fortunately, the scoreline is still recoverable. 

The Blues will travel to the Nou Camp in March knowing only a perfect performance will be necessary to stand any chance of progressing to the quarter finals. They'll require a mini-miracle, but it has happened before. 

Player Ratings
Joe Hart - 8
The England stopper has evaded the limelight recently with a string of dependable performances, but his last minute penalty save should see his face return to the back pages, albeit in a positive light. Helpless for both of a Suarez's goals, but helped to ensure that Barcelona were unable to truly embarrass his side. 

Pablo Zabaleta - 6
A surprise starter given Pellegrini's tendency to choose Sagna against teams equipped with tricky wingers. Made a couple of typically bold tackles but struggled with Neymar's pace throughout. Almost threw away the tie with a careless challenge on Lionel Messi in the last minute, but had his goalkeeper to thank.

Vincent Kompany - 6
How many high profile mistakes is that now? Was at fault for Suarez's first and his confidence suffered as a result. Not the impenetrable defender he once was.

Martin Demichelis - 6
Perhaps City's best defender, although that does not say much. Should have been tighter for Suarez's second, but remained composed elsewhere and deserved to start over Mangala.

Gaël Clichy - 6
A victim of Messi's brilliance throughout but was one of City's main outlets on the counter attack. Unfortunately, his delivery was poor and his night ended early after a second yellow card in the 76th minute.

Samir Nasri - 6

Was unable to maintain his recent performance levels in a game where City couldn't keep hold of the ball. In possession, Nasri can be tremendous, but without it, he is wasted. 

James Milner - 5Thrown into the occasion in the absence of Yaya Touré, but the versatile midfielder looked unfit and was one of the Blues main culprits when it came to giving away possession. Seems to be much more useful on the flanks. 

Fernando - 5
Surprised everyone by making the starting eleven and almost gifted Luis Suarez an early opener with a negligent pass back to his goalkeeper. That early mistake flavoured his entire performance and he was completely overrun by Busquets and Rakitić in the centre of the field. Continues to prove that he probably isn't good enough to play at this level.

David Silva - 7
Like Nasri, he struggled to make his mark whilst City were chasing the game, but the Spaniard always has the ability to unlock a piece of sorcery. His assist for Agüero's goal was brilliant and his creativity proved vital in his side's promising second half display. 

Edin Džeko - 6
In any other game, Džeko would have deserved to start after impressing against Newcastle United at the weekend, but against Barcelona, his place could have been filled by another midfielder who would have helped to plug Barcelona's fluidity. Missed City's best chance of the game.

Sergio Agüero - 8.5

Ran Barcelona's defence ragged in the second half, drawing in fouls and dragging his side up the pitch. A fantastic finish ensured City still have a minor chance of progressing. 

(all player images via www.skysportsnews.com)

Substitutes

Fernandinho - 8 
Changed the game as he pressed Barcelona's central midfield into mistakes and drove a fine pass into the feet of Silva for City's goal. Why was he not started?

Wilfried Bony - 5
Seemed to injure himself almost immediately after entering the fray and looked off the pace.

Bacary Sagna - 6
Kept City relatively tight in the absence of Clichy.

Manchester City v FC Barcelona: Champions League Last 16 Preview

The time has come for revenge. 


(Image via Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Manchester City host four-time European champions FC Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League for the second consecutive year on Tuesday evening, but one gets the feeling that the visually arresting tie will be anything but predictable.

A 4-1 aggregate win for Gerardo Martino's side delivered to Manchester City yet another severe reminder of their naivety in Europe. The Blues proceeded confidently into the identical home fixture last term - a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup equipping Manuel Pellegrini's men with a potent shot of morale - but the Champions League is an entirely different entity to the Premier League that City have had to play catch up in to claim in the last three years. 

Over 38 games, there is room for error; over two, there is not - especially against Barcelona. 

Once again, the English champions will head into their meeting with the Spaniards with belief. Comprehensive victories over Stoke City and Newcastle United in their last two games have helped to extinguish a miserable run of form that saw City go five games without a win in all competitions. The return of Samir Nasri from injury has certainly played its part in the resurgence; the Frenchman has combined excellently with David Silva and Sergio Agüero in the last two weeks and City's brutality in front of goal has reappeared. 


(Samir Nasri has been impressive since returning from injury - image via MCFC Official Facebook)

And one feels the Blues may have to utilise their new-found venom in the final third in order to seize a famous result. Although Luis Enrique's team boast the third most impressive defensive record in Europe's top five leagues having conceded only 14 goals this season, their attacking prowess convincingly outweighs their defensive capabilities. Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez hold membership in arguably the world's most ferocious attacking trio and have scored an incredible 68 goals between them in all competitions this term. Sergio Agüero, Stevan Jovetić and Edin Džeko (32) have managed less than half of that total, but Wilfried Bony's strength combined with Agüero's pace and movement could trouble the ungainly legs of Gerard Piqué and Javier Mascherano. The City faithful are yet to see that partnership flourish, and Džeko's spirited display against Newcastle United at the weekend could leave them waiting a little longer.

The intimidating prospect of a front three consisting of Messi, Neymar and Suárez may tempt Manuel Pellegrini into employing the experience of Martin Demichelis. The 34-year-old Argentine infamously gave away a penalty and saw red in last year's meeting, but his form has improved considerably since that date. City will require patience and composure against the intricacies of their skilled opponents - characteristics £31.8m signing Eliaquim Mangala has failed to demonstrate since moving joining from FC Porto. 


(Martin Demichelis could be preferred over Eliaquim Mangala despite being sent off in last year's tie - image via Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Barcelona's front three will receive the overwhelming majority of publicity in the build up to the tie, but the importance of Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitić must not be overlooked. The duo provide grit in a side known for technique, but also epitomise the team's intelligence in possession. Between them, the pair have a 91% pass accuracy average in the league and have created 36 chances. Without Yaya Touré, who will miss the game through suspension, City may have to field three central midfielders to combat their influence. 

Manchester City were accused of paying too much respect to their Spanish foes last season and Manuel Pellegrini has vowed not to make the same mistake again. However, although the Chilean may be encouraged by their shock loss to Malaga at the Nou Camp on Saturday, he and his team must not underestimate Barcelona. Prior to the loss, Enrique's men netted 23 goals in five league games and the disappointment of that result will inevitably provide even more motivation for a tenacious display in Manchester. 

Confidence is high at the Etihad Stadium, but Manchester City must learn from last years' mistakes if they are to pull off the victory they are capable of on Tuesday night. 

Prediction: 2-1

Potential Line-Ups
Manchester City


Barcelona


Statistics

(Image via @Squawka)



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Manchester City 5 - 0 Newcastle United: In praise of Samir Nasri and Edin Džeko

The Etihad Stadium's 'fortress' label had been peeling off before 17.30pm on Saturday evening.

But Manchester City silenced their critics in a comprehensive 5-0 win over Newcastle United. It is the first time the Blues have scored over four goals in a league fixture since March 2014 and perhaps the first time since a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in October that City have truly commanded an entire 90 minutes of football. 

The display was tinted with a remorselessness Manuel Pellegrini's men have too often failed to show this season. The return of African Cup of Nations champion Yaya Touré certainly helped to infuse the side with venom - the Ivorian's muscle and composure in possession supplying the side with a platform they have craved in the last month - but it was the sorcery of Samir Nasri and David Silva that punished John Carver's hapless Magpies. 

On top form, Nasri is an indispensable member of City's starting eleven. The Frenchman holds membership in a crucial trio, along with Silva and Touré, that is instrumental in the majority of the team's attacking play. His intelligence on the ball and eagerness to find and drive into space is often persuasive in unlocking defences and his eye for goal has indubitably improved in a sky blue shirt in the last year. The 27-year-old's second goal in two games put the Blues 2-0 in front and his return from injury has supplied City with impetus heading into the latter stages of the season. 

(Samir Nasri, who has created 50 chances in the league this season, nets City's second - image via Getty Images)

Perhaps even more impressive was Edin Džeko's purposeful showing. The Bosnian, who has scored only three league goals this term, has failed to assist City's title bid in any significant way thus far - his poor form and miserable experience with injury forcing his manager into the £28m capture of Wilfried Bony in the January transfer window. 

But Džeko, who has been linked with both Wolfsburg and Juventus in recent weeks, gave his Ivorian teammate no reason to believe he would be walking straight into the team. After winning his side a penalty in the opening minute and assisting Samir Nasri for City's second, the 28-year-old oiled off his rustiness to control an exquisite through ball from David Silva with his chest and guide a precise left-footed volley past Tim Krul to all but clinch the three points for his side within the first 45 minutes. The finish was exceptional, but his fighting performance was of greater importance. 

(Edin Džeko is congratulated by his teammates after expertly finishing past Tim Krul - image via Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

It was a pleasant day for the club. Chelsea dropped points against Burnley, third placed Manchester United fell to defeat at the Liberty Stadium, and Champions League last 16 opponents Barcelona suffered their second home defeat of the season against 7th placed Malaga. 

City are showing form at exactly the right time. Confidence has returned to the veins of the players and Manuel Pellegrini will finally have the luxury of a full squad to choose from against FC Barcelona if James Milner is passed fit to play. Although the same was said last term, the Blues are in a terrific position to shock Luis Enrique's men on Tuesday night.

Player Ratings 

Hart 7, Zabaleta 7, Kompany 7, Mangala 7, Kolarov 6, Fernandinho 7, Touré 8, Nasri 8.5, Silva 8, Džeko 8, Agüero 7.5

Manchester City are facing Stoke at exactly the wrong time

'But can they do it on a cold, rainy night in Stoke?'



Right now, the answer is probably 'no' given Manchester City's recent run of form. 

Manuel Pellegrini's pursuit of silverware was dealt another debilitating blow on Saturday afternoon as his side quivered in yet another miserable display at the Etihad Stadium. James Milner's 90th minute free kick offered a flash of the brilliance the current league champions are capable of, but his wonder-strike could only salvage his side a point against Hull City. The Blues are now winless in their last five games in all competitions and sit seven points behind José Mourinho's Chelsea.


(James Milner rescued City a point with a stunning 90th minute free kick on Saturday afternoon - image via @MCFC)

And a mid-week trip to one of the division's most infamous fortresses couldn't come at a worse time for a Chilean under pressure. Stoke City have been guilty of loosening the security at the Britannia Stadium this term having won only five of their 11 home fixtures, but their Premier League record against City in their own back yard will give Mark Hughes hope of third win in four league ties on Wednesday night. 

Sixteen years have passed since Manchester City last won a league game on Staffordshire soil and the Potters boast an unbeaten record in their six home fixtures against the Blues since they were promoted to the Premier League in 2008. 

Hughes' mid-table dwellers have been accused of softening the 'gritty' approach that they were famed for under Tony Pulis, but the change in philosophy has indubitably benefited the side. Stoke have acquired a fresh list of capabilities under the Welshman including the ability to dominate teams in possession rather than through physicality. Since Hughes' inauguration, the Potters have increased their average possession from 46% in 2012/2013 to 49% in 2013/2014 and so far this season. Their pass completion has risen by 8%, their average duels won by 3% and they have already created 78% of the total amount of chances they managed in the entire 2012/2013 season.  


(Mark Hughes has infused his side with flair since taking over in 2013 - image via Stoke City Offical Facebook)

But the former Manchester United legend's men still possess a repository of steel and strength that will surely trouble Manchester City. Pellegrini's men notoriously struggle against teams who put men behind the ball and Hughes will have no shame in reverting to those 'park the bus' tactics should it mean three points for his side. 

Without Yaya Touré, whom City have not won a game without since March 2014, David Silva and Samir Nasri have failed to propel their team through the barriers of strong Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Hull City defences and City's incompetence on the flanks has made it impossible for Manuel Pellegrini to devise a plan B.


(Yaya Touré captained the Ivory Coast to AFCON glory on Monday night, but his absence has taken its toll on his club - image via @MCFC)

With the in-form Steven N'Zonzi patrolling the space just in front of Stoke's defence, Silva and Nasri are likely to endure another frustrating 90 minutes on Wednesday night and Pellegrini's position at the club could be thrown further into the grey.