Manchester City go into the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash with Barcelona knowing that they have to win for the first time against the Catalan club. Luis Suarez’s two goals at the Etihad three weeks ago seemed to take the tie away from Manuel Pellegrini’s men, but Sergio Aguero’s second half strike gave the Premier League champions a chance.
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The English club bizarrely left the first leg buoyed after keeper Joe Hart saved Lionel Messi’s penalty, with the Argentinian sensationally proceeding to put the rebound wide with the goal practically empty. But since then, City had surrendered more ground in the domestic league, after a disappointing defeat to Burnley allowed Chelsea to increase the gap to six points following their draw with Southampton.
Despite the need for goals, Pellegrini is likely to start with one up front at the Nou Camp, meaning that there is no place for either Edin Dzeko, or £30m man Wilfried Bony.
Here is how we expect City to line up:
GK- Joe Hart
Hart was the hero of the first leg, and his words over the weekend suggest that City are going to give it everything, and won’t die wondering on Wednesday.
RB- Pablo Zabaleta
Returning to the Nou Camp is likely to bring back unhappy memories for Zabaleta, having been sent off there last season. He will hoping to give a better account of himself this time around.
CB- Vincent Kompany
The captain’s reported altercation with Fernandinho seems to have been put in the past. He should have no problem motivating his team for this clash.
CB- Martin Demichelis
The Argentine centre-back was arguably at fault for the deciding goal on Saturday, when he away gave the free-kick that led to George Boyd’s wonder goal.
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