Preview
Cousillas's quarter-final stalkers look to turn the Camp Nou sky blue.
A mythical tale of two sleeping giants prepares to unfold at 19.45pm this evening, and armed with all the optimism in the world, Manchester City will endeavor to conquer a 2-0 deficit at the biggest stadium in Europe. Manuel Pellegrini will be labelled as the 'loner in Barcelona' after being banished to the stands by Uefa, but the Chilean will be hoping to take a birds eye view of a memorable Champions League upset.
Both sides have been unable to breathe fire into the faces of their domestic opponents in recent weeks, and despite clutching the handles of the Capital One Cup trophy just 10 days ago, Manchester City relinquished their quest for the quadruple with an odious 2-1 loss to Championship side Wigan Athletic a week later. Defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid has seen Gerardo Martino's side fall four points behind leaders Real Madrid in La Liga, but unlike their Wednesday night rivals, they do not have the benefit of three games in hand.
(Barcelona were stunned by 17th placed Real Valladolid in a 1-0 loss just four days ago)
However, despite presenting their Clásico rivals with a savory lead at the top of the table, Los Cules have lost just once at home in all competitions this season and the Nou Camp remains a scorching cauldron for any unwanted visitors. Manchester City's home record sparkled lustrously among a troop of titans earlier in the season, but defensive wobbles and a goalscoring drought has rendered the blues a much more approachable force as the season has progressed.
There may be chinks in the armour of Pellegrini's platoon, but the blues still possess an admirable ability to defy the odds. As the always wise 'they' say; 'form is temporary, class is permament', and with Yaya Touré, Sergio Agüero, David Silva and Samir Nasri in their ranks, City certainly possess the class to trouble the four time Champions League winners.
(The blues possess the weaponry to harm Barcelona, but will they rise to the occasion?)
If the blues are to pull off a historic European slaying this evening, one man in particular will have to step up - a man who never had the chance to wound the Barcelona defence in the first leg.
Manuel Pellegrini was forced to lock horns with Gerardo Martino without the menace of his top scorer Sergio Agüero last month, and Javier Mascherano believes his Argentinian teammate could swing things in City's favour in the second leg of the tie.
In an interview with ESPN, the Barcelona defender heaped praise on the 26-year-old.
"Given space he is the type of player who can destroy you so we have to ensure he doesn't get that space and doesn't feel comfortable.
(Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano believes Sergio Agüero has the potential to 'destroy' his side)
The Argentinian also revealed his opinions on how the blues would line up against his side, and predicted attacking tactics from Manuel Pellegrini.
"I think we are going to see Man City go all out to attack. That is the way they normally play and with the result they'll need to do that more than ever.''
After witnessing their side's demise in the FA Cup last weekend, there is an expectation from City fans heading into the flavoursome tie at the Nou Camp tonight. A second string squad fell at the hands of inferior opposition and indubitably discarded a trophy sky blue hands should have been touching in May, but City's Chilean enforcer will not make the same mistake again.
Although the outcome of the tie may not be in the South American's hands, City's big guns will take to the field in pursuit of a precious and unexpected result, and with pressure absent from the shoulders of our splendid squadron, we could witness yet another indelible achievement tonight.
Prediction: 1-1
Line-Ups
Pellegrini's favoured 4-4-2 formation could spell suicide for the blues this evening, and with Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas patrolling the Barcelona midfield, a 4-5-1 set up may be a more favourable option.
Sergio Agüero's energy and carnivorousness in front of goal should see him lead the line ahead of a creative midfield involving David Silva, Samir Nasri and Yaya Touré. Behind the tantalising trio, I expect Fernandinho and Javi Garcia to sweep up the play in front of the defence.
(Javi Garcia's physical presence may be used in a five man midfield tonight)
With Martin Demichelis suspended, Joleon Lescott is expected to fill the role alongside Vincent Kompany and Aleksandar Kolarov's delivery and effectiveness on the flanks is likely to fill the left-back role ahead of Gaël Clichy.
Barcelona have no fresh injury worries.
Possible line-ups
Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Iniesta, Busquets, Fabregas, Sanchez, Messi, Neymar
Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Fernandino, Garcia, Silva, Yaya Touré, Nasri, Agüero
Head to Head Stats
- The sides have scored the same amount of goals (18) in the Champions League this season
- However, Barcelona (5) possess a cleaner defensive record, conceding 7 fewer goals than their Wednesday night rivals (12)
- The Spaniard's have also been more effective in the tackle winning 56% of their duels compared to City's 46%
- Los Cules (91%) have a 7% higher pass completion rate than Manchester City (84%)
- Martino's side (79) have also created more chances than the blues (75).
