Post by Admin on Feb 24, 2014 19:43:36 GMT 5.5
MANCHESTER CITY VS FC BARCELONA PREVIEW(FIRST LEG):
The world's biggest club football competition, the UEFA Champions League kicks off its knockout stages with the first legs of the round of-16 beginning this Tuesday , with some mouth watering clashes set to be contested. With two Premier League sides involved in massive fixtures, lets have a look at what is in store for them. Lets kick things off by previewing the monumental and much awaited clash between ManCity and FC Barcelona, here we go!
Arguably the most awaited collision of this round takes place at the Etihad on Tuesday , as last years semifinalists and in-form La Liga champions Barcelona take on the Premier League's best attacking outfit, Manchester City. With City having scored a monumental 100+ goals already this season and Barcelona's reputation of being a goal producing team still intact, this match should be full of goals especially with some sensational attacking talent on display. With Messi back to full fitness and Neymar set to start after recovering from his ankle problem, Barcelona are expected to be at full strength. City on the other hand, aren't so fortunate despite being boosted by Nasri's return as they are set to be without star striker Sergio Aguero and Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, with centreback Matija Nastasic also a doubt.
TALKING TACTICS
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The clash sees some interesting tactical decisions which will have to be taken by both Pelligrini and Martino, and the match could be decided on how the two managers approach the game.
Pelligrini will be looking to kill the tie in the first leg itself and is set to go with his regular 4-4-2 formation. There are some slots up for grabs, and Lescott's and Garcia's brilliant performances against Chelsea in the FA Cup should make them frontrunners to accompany Kompany in defense and Toure in midfield respectively. Kolarov is set to return after being rested against Chelsea. The front four selection though, presents Pelligrini his biggest headache as David Silva looks to be the certainty there.v Samir Nasri's excellent cameo off the bench against Chelsea, in his first game after returning from injury is set to threaten Jesus Navas' spot, though he's likely to get the nod ahead of the Frenchman if Pelligrini decides to expose the space left by Jordi Alba who bombs forward from his full back position. The biggest decision though, is to choose his best combination from his three available forwards. Alvaro Negredo's shoulder problem and Dzeko's promising partnership with the fit and full of flair Jovetic might see the Spaniard dropping to the bench.
Tata Martino's first real taste of top European football provides a stern test, with a difficult away presenting him with difficult selections to make. Mascherano is expected to partner Piquè ahead of the young Bartra, as the occasion might prove too be too big for the promising young man. With Dani Alves and Jordi Alba expected to fly up the flanks, the centrebacks will have to do the majority of the defensive work against City's mercurial front four who will be a constant threat. Busquets will provide the presence in midfield and will be expected to keep Yaya Toure quiet, which won't be easy as Marouane Fellaini and Jack Wilshere will tell you. Xavi is expected to start in midfield after being rested against Vallecano and Iniesta's performance in that game might just give him the nod ahead of Cesc Fabregas. With Neymar fit, his creativity is likely to come in handy against Zabaleta and Alexis will have a big role to play if Barca are to make the most of Kolarov's defensive shortcomings. With Messi in the middle, these three will be the key if Barca are to add to their eight goals on the counterattack already this season, surprisingly way higher than City's three.
KEY BATTLES:
With the game expected to a close affair, a piece of individual brilliance may just determine the game's fate. Lets look at the battles which stand out:
With Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany expected to handle the dangerous Neymar-Messi duo, Kolarov's battle against Alexis Sanchez could very well determine the result. With David Silva drifting inside against Dani Alves, Alexis will have to track back and keep a hold on Kolarov's marauding runs down the left flank, something Sanchez isn't used to doing. Similarly, Alexis will look to make the most of Kolarov's defensive vulnerability and use the empty space on the counter, something that might prove to be Barca's best attacking threat unless Messi is able to run at Lescott.
Two of the very best defensive midfielders in the world will battle it out as the in form Yaya Toure looks to continue his sensational attacking form against the ever dependable Sergio Busquets. With Javi Garcia content on sitting deep covering the back four, Yaya will be given the freedom to link up with the likes of Silva, Nasri/Navas and also test his luck from range. Busquets will have to be close to his very best if he is to contain the huge Ivorian and make sure the beast doesn't have any reasons to smile about after the clash against his old club.
LIKELY STARTING XI:
MANCHESTER CITY(4-4-2): Hart, Kolarov, Lescott, Kompany, Zabaleta, Silva, Garcia, Toure, Navas, Jovetic, Dzeko
FC BARCELONA(4-1-2-3):Valdes, Alba, Mascherano, Piquè, Alves, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Messi, Neymar
PREDICTION:MCFC 1-1 FCB
I am going with a close fought draw at the Etihad with Barcelona being the happier side at the end of the first leg, something that doesn't seem impossible with City missing two massive players in Aguero and Fernandinho.