“We must be closer now. This is football. We want to grow step by step. ”
, Nolito - 19/10/2016
Goals; Messi (17,61,69); Neymar (89)
Line Up (4-2-3-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (4)
Zabaleta (6) (Caballero (6.5) 57')
Otamendi (6.5)
Stones (5.5)
Kolorov (5)
Gundogan (6.5), (Aguero (5.5) 79')
Fernandinho (6)
Sterling (7.5)
Nolito (7), (Clichy (5.5) 57')
Silva (6),
De Bruyne (7.5)
Stats; Possession 54%/48%; Shots 8(3)/5(4); Fouls 15/17.
Line Up (4-2-3-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Bravo (4)
Zabaleta (6) (Caballero (6.5) 57')
Otamendi (6.5)
Stones (5.5)
Kolorov (5)
Gundogan (6.5), (Aguero (5.5) 79')
Fernandinho (6)
Sterling (7.5)
Nolito (7), (Clichy (5.5) 57')
Silva (6),
De Bruyne (7.5)
Stats; Possession 54%/48%; Shots 8(3)/5(4); Fouls 15/17.
Starting to get a sense of De Ja Vu with some of these Blog posts. However, UEFA’s warm balls landed City with another Champions League meeting with Barcelona. It was ‘written in the stars’ that Pep would kick his first Champions League Campaign in blue having to face the Catalan giants that he so adores.
City are enduring their most difficult period under Pep. However, no matter how hard the media try, this is by no means DEFCON 1. Having gone three games without a win, going to the Nou Camp was always going to be the ultimate test.
The big talking point before kick-off was Pep’s team selection. De Bruyne was depolyed as City’s most advanced player (on paper) in the elusive false 9 position, leaving Aguero on the bench.
Rocking the unconventional European orange and purple strip, City started with a real intent to lay down a marker. Barcelona looked far from their untouchable status and this was a City team that looked like they were gunning to take the ultimate scalp.
Unfortunately this wasn’t to last, despite matching Barcelona in the opening periods, City had to be pitch perfect. The hope that the stars may have aligned lasted all of 17 minutes, when until an untimely slip from Fernandinho gave Messi a simple path to goal which he was never going to miss.
Going one down at the Nou Camp is the worst possible scenario for any side. Nevertheless, in terms of clear cut chances City had the majority. Some fantastic solo play from Gundogan brought a good save from ter Stegen. John Stones should have made better use of a sumptuous cross to the back post. All moments that could have completely shifted the match, but a lack of clinical finishing was always going to haunt us.
The final half an hour was one to forget. The public eye has been fixed on Claudio Bravo’s performances since Hart was deemed surplus to requirements. Heading back to his previous club was never going to be a quiet day at the office for the Chilean. However, it was the attribute that he was brought in for which let him down. A haphazard first touch led to the ball being at the feet of Luis Suarez who went to chip City’s current number one. Bravo instinctively stuck an arm up out of his area, blocking the Uruguayans attempt but the resulting red card was inevitable. Game over.
If the game ended before this incident, the match would have been settled on a slip and the phenomenal Lionel Messi taking his chance. However, it was an exhibition once City were down to 10. Chasing shadows, unforced errors and a whirlwind that was spiraling out of control.
Was this a 4-0 game? Absolutely not. But City have now had a red card in 4 of the previous 5 meetings with the Spanish Champions. Despite improvement on and off the pitch, this is still an occasion that seems to overwhelm players new and old. This is a club that is going through a rapid transformation period, arguably the greatest since the takeover. Therefore basing the status of this City side on these early games would be extremely naïve considering Barcelona’s dominance, put in place by City’s current boss I hasten to add.
On a personal note, am I convinced by Bravo? Not yet. I still believe that Joe Hart is a better shot stopper. BUT, if you can’t see the reason why he was brought in by now then you never will.
We are not at the level of Barcelona, Bayern or Real Madrid. But that sure doesn’t mean we don’t’ have the potential to be breaking down that door soon enough.
City are enduring their most difficult period under Pep. However, no matter how hard the media try, this is by no means DEFCON 1. Having gone three games without a win, going to the Nou Camp was always going to be the ultimate test.
The big talking point before kick-off was Pep’s team selection. De Bruyne was depolyed as City’s most advanced player (on paper) in the elusive false 9 position, leaving Aguero on the bench.
Rocking the unconventional European orange and purple strip, City started with a real intent to lay down a marker. Barcelona looked far from their untouchable status and this was a City team that looked like they were gunning to take the ultimate scalp.
Unfortunately this wasn’t to last, despite matching Barcelona in the opening periods, City had to be pitch perfect. The hope that the stars may have aligned lasted all of 17 minutes, when until an untimely slip from Fernandinho gave Messi a simple path to goal which he was never going to miss.
Going one down at the Nou Camp is the worst possible scenario for any side. Nevertheless, in terms of clear cut chances City had the majority. Some fantastic solo play from Gundogan brought a good save from ter Stegen. John Stones should have made better use of a sumptuous cross to the back post. All moments that could have completely shifted the match, but a lack of clinical finishing was always going to haunt us.
The final half an hour was one to forget. The public eye has been fixed on Claudio Bravo’s performances since Hart was deemed surplus to requirements. Heading back to his previous club was never going to be a quiet day at the office for the Chilean. However, it was the attribute that he was brought in for which let him down. A haphazard first touch led to the ball being at the feet of Luis Suarez who went to chip City’s current number one. Bravo instinctively stuck an arm up out of his area, blocking the Uruguayans attempt but the resulting red card was inevitable. Game over.
If the game ended before this incident, the match would have been settled on a slip and the phenomenal Lionel Messi taking his chance. However, it was an exhibition once City were down to 10. Chasing shadows, unforced errors and a whirlwind that was spiraling out of control.
Was this a 4-0 game? Absolutely not. But City have now had a red card in 4 of the previous 5 meetings with the Spanish Champions. Despite improvement on and off the pitch, this is still an occasion that seems to overwhelm players new and old. This is a club that is going through a rapid transformation period, arguably the greatest since the takeover. Therefore basing the status of this City side on these early games would be extremely naïve considering Barcelona’s dominance, put in place by City’s current boss I hasten to add.
On a personal note, am I convinced by Bravo? Not yet. I still believe that Joe Hart is a better shot stopper. BUT, if you can’t see the reason why he was brought in by now then you never will.
We are not at the level of Barcelona, Bayern or Real Madrid. But that sure doesn’t mean we don’t’ have the potential to be breaking down that door soon enough.
@PatrickElano
