Manchester City head to the Nou Camp knowing that they are required to do something they have never done before, beat Barcelona. The Premier League champions go into the second leg of their Champions League tie needing to score at least twice, after a brace from Luis Suarez gave the Spanish giants a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium three weeks ago.
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Despite the loss to Luis Enrique’s side, City gained a huge slice of the momentum after Joe Hart saved a Lionel Messi penalty in the dying moments in Manchester. If Messi had converted the spot-kick, then City would be resigned to following Chelsea – and potentially Arsenal – out of the competition, and leaving no English sides in the last eight.
However, Manuel Pellegrini’s side are coming off the back of a shock defeat to Burnley at the weekend, and speculation over the manager’s future remains rife. Progression on Wednesday may just take the Chilean’s head off the chopping block.
Here is how we expect City to line up for the second leg:
GK- Joe Hart
As mentioned, the England keeper did a fantastic job of giving City a glimmer of hope in the first leg, and he remains confident that an upset can take place.
RB- Pablo Zabaleta
Zabaleta was sent off the last time he played in the Nou Camp, and he’s in for another tough night, having to mark Neymar.
CB- Vincent Kompany
The captain was recalled for the game against Burnley, after being dropped for an alleged spat with Fernandinho. If anyone is going to inspire City to victory, it is the Belgian.
CB- Martin Demichelis
Demichelis needlessly gave away the free-kick that led to Burnley’s winner on Saturday, and he’ll be coming up against a much stronger attack than the one that he faced at Turf Moor.
LB- Aleksandar Kolarov
Kolarov will likely be brought back into the fold following Gael Clichy’s red card in the first leg. He did not feature in the defeat to Burnley.
CM- Fernando
Fernando will have to offer the defence some support, given Barcelona’s attacking threat. It would be a surprise to see him venture forward too often.
CM- Yaya Toure
The Barcelona man has the quality to make something special happen in the same way Ramires did when Chelsea had to defy the odds to knock out the Catalan club on their way to Champions League glory.
RAM- James Milner
Milner has been one of City’s better players this season, and has got them out of a couple of holes along the way. He will need to do it one more time on Wednesday.
AM- David Silva
The Spaniard messed up a glorious opportunity on Saturday, there is no way that he will be able to do the same thing again if City are to progress.
LAM- Samir Nasri
The Frenchman is likely to come in for Edin Dzeko, after the Bosnian had a difficult game last time out.
ST- Sergio Aguero
Aguero has a better record when playing as a lone striker, so Pellegrini may give him that opportunity. His goal in the first leg has given City a fighting chance.