Barcelona vs. Manchester City: 5 Bold Predictions for Champions League 2nd Leg
Barcelona host Manchester City at Camp Nou for the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie.Sergio Aguero's late goal and Lionel Messi's last-gasp penalty miss have set things up nicely, and while the Catalans remain in the box-seat, an early goal from the visitors could put a vastly different complexion on the tie.
Barca may well set up differently to combat this and Manuel Pellegrini will know that he has to try something vastly different too in order for the Catalans not to be out of sight before half-time.Let's take a look at five bold predictions for the Champions League second-leg match
1-Luis Suarez Will Be Rested
Despite being the hero in the first leg, Luis Suarez will be benched for the second leg as Luis Enrique opts for a different tactical formation.
It will be harsh on the Uruguayan who has been enjoying some great personal form, but with El Clasico just a few days afterwards, and Barca in the box seat in this tie, Enrique will take the opportunity to switch things around a little.
Should matters not be progressing as the manager would like, then Suarez is a high-quality option to come on later in the game.
2-Industrious City to Disrupt Barca's Passing Game
With the quality of player that Manuel Pellegrini now has at his disposal, it's no surprise that his Manchester City side play some of the most attractive football in the Premier League.
At its best, it's free-flowing and very easy on the eye. It's also extremely effective, as last season's title win showed.
However, Pellegrini will go against his principles in the second leg and play a far more industrious and brutal game in the hope of knocking the Catalans from their perch.
It won't be pretty but if City can get the result needed, you won't hear too many complaints from their fanbase.
They certainly can't play the same brand of football that they tried in the first leg if they want to progress.
3-Mascherano to See Red
It's been a little while since Javier Mascherano saw red for the Blaugrana.
He's come close to adding to the sending off in the first match of the season but has always trodden just the right side of the white line.Not this time. Sergio Aguero is sure to be like a whirling dervish all night, again, and his pace and guile will trouble his compatriot.
It may not be pivotal to the overall result but "Masche" will pay for his indiscretions this time.
4-Kompany to Play Centre-Forward
As the tie draws to its conclusion and with Manchester City looking to secure the result that will see them progress against the Catalans, their captain will switch roles.
A fearsome physical presence, Vincent Kompany will be thrown up front and utilised as a supplementary attacker.
As City revert to long ball tactics, the Belgian stopper will be an extra body to get in among it and cause problems for Barca's back line.
5-
-3-5-2 from Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique is certainly a manager that knows his own mind and is confident enough in his work to stick to his principles.
Heavily criticised earlier in the season for his rotations, Lucho stuck to his guns and Barca have been better for it at this point of the campaign. Against Paris Saint-Germain in the final Champions League group game, which at that point of the season was the most important match for the Catalans, Enrique surprised everyone with a spectacular formation that saw Pedro installed as a wing-back.
It won Barca the game comfortably.
In order to snuff out the danger that Yaya Toure and Fernandinho will present from the middle of the park, Enrique will flood that part of the pitch and utilise another 3-5-2. He'll be hopeful of a similar result to the one against the French champions.
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