CL: Barca - Man City 1-0 (3-1 agg.)

[Richard.H]

I really don't understand why Iniesta gets more minutes than Rakitic. Rakitic works his ass off in the mid. I really hope he starts this match. His physicality and workrate is needed against City's mid.

 

[Gasgas]

That's a spank not a kick

 

[Kohe321]

After yesterdays loss I expect to see a heroic effort from the team in order to make up for what happened against Malaga both for the fans and themselves. It could end up sparking a fire in the team, and in the long run this loss against Malaga could be a good wake-up call at an important moment in the season. I think we started to ride the high of victory and became a bit complacent, none of the players barring Pique or Busquets looked even half as mentally sharp or ready as they looked against Bilbao or Atletico. We need to regain that level of focus, so this loss could be good in helping us do that.

So in a way, this loss could make the game harder for City. I expect our players to go to Etihad like a bunch of lions and give it their all to win and regain the momentum and optimism we've had. They know very well how much is at stake now. Leo and everyone has given the impression that they really want to fight for trophies this season, so let's just forget that blip that was yesterdays loss and focus ahead and win this CL tie.

 

[mehdimike]

Last year Tata chose 4-4-2.I guess midfielders were Iniesta,Cesc,Xavi,Busquets and they really controlled the tempo of the game.BUT this year Xavi is out,Cesc is gone and Iniesta is in decline.So,should Barca start 4-3-3 or 4-4-2?That's a big question for me.Imagine Busquets,Racitic,Iniesta against Nasri,Silva,Fernando,Milner(Fernandinho).
If i were Pellegrini,i would give a chance to lampard,instead of milner(Fernandinho).Because his experience combined with superb long balls are vital for counter attacks.
Anyway,great match is coming.Really hope to see exciting matches after those boring CL games.

 

[Ini8]

Squad (vs Man City): Ter Stegen, Bravo, Masip, Alves, Montoya, Pique, Bartra, Mascherano, Mathieu, Adriano, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Xavi, Iniesta, Sergi Roberto, Rafinha, Pedro, Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

No surprises. I'm sure we'll see the following line-up:

MAtS
Alves - Piqué - Mascherano - Alba
Rakitic - Busquets - Iniesta
Messi - Suárez - Neymar​

I'm expecting us to bounce back after that horrific performance yesterday.

 

[pacp_96]

Last year Tata chose 4-4-2.I guess midfielders were Iniesta,Cesc,Xavi,Busquets and they really controlled the tempo of the game.BUT this year Xavi is out,Cesc is gone and Iniesta is in decline.So,should Barca start 4-3-3 or 4-4-2?That's a big question for me.Imagine Busquets,Racitic,Iniesta against Nasri,Silva,Fernando,Milner(Fernandinho).
If i were Pellegrini,i would give a chance to lampard,instead of milner(Fernandinho).Because his experience combined with superb long balls are vital for counter attacks.
Anyway,great match is coming.Really hope to see exciting matches after those boring CL games.

I think the key is to dare City to open up. Then we can get MSN more space to play. Sure there will be a midfield battle but really all that is required of them is to make some space for MSN.

 

[Tapiro Perfetto]

If possibile I prefer Rakitic-Busquets-Xavi....
Iniesta is useless....

 

[Ghostmaster]

So I guess everyone is in a good mood after Malaga's game. Nevertheless City is not Malaga, City won't park the bus the way Malaga did, there will be opportunities for counters and we should score at least one goal, 1-1 would be perfect IMO. The biggest problem is who to select as midfield trio, I would choose Mascherano-Iniesta-Rakitic, Busi might be too slow for Aguero, Silva or Navas.

 

[Gasgas]

Squad (vs Man City): Ter Stegen, Bravo, Masip, Alves, Montoya, Pique, Bartra, Mascherano, Mathieu, Adriano, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Xavi, Iniesta, Sergi Roberto, Rafinha, Pedro, Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

No surprises. I'm sure we'll see the following line-up:

MAtS
Alves - Piqué - Mascherano - Alba
Rakitic - Busquets - Iniesta
Messi - Suárez - Neymar​

I'm expecting us to bounce back after that horrific performance yesterday.

No douglas

 

[Gasgas]

So I guess everyone is in a good mood after Malaga's game. Nevertheless City is not Malaga, City won't park the bus the way Malaga did, there will be opportunities for counters and we should score at least one goal, 1-1 would be perfect IMO. The biggest problem is who to select as midfield trio, I would choose Mascherano-Iniesta-Rakitic, Busi might be too slow for Aguero, Silva or Navas.

Busquetsss will ssssstarrrt rreegarrrdleessss

 

[Ini8]

No douglas

Huge mistake, but we should be able to scrape by.

 

[Bucky]

Don't know why I've got Sky Sports News on, showing the highlights of the Citeh v Newcastle game; if we give them too much room and they're allowed to play like that with our shambles defence - we're done. Just looks like practise for Tuesday. Really am hoping Barça step it up and City choke under the pressure that "this is the CL & this is the mighty Barça".

 

[Heisenberg is cooking]

No iniesta, alves and busi please.

They are not good enough. I rather take rafinha, bartra/montoya/adriano, masch as dm(much better Than busi).

Iniesta has been weak the whole season and is only starting because of his name. Sadly. But we have rafinha, a brilliant youngster - time to shine.

 

[JamDav1982]

No iniesta, alves and busi please.

They are not good enough. I rather take rafinha, bartra/montoya/adriano, masch as dm(much better Than busi).

Iniesta has been weak the whole season and is only starting because of his name. Sadly. But we have rafinha, a brilliant youngster - time to shine.

Rafinha has been nowhere near as good as Iniesta this season and Masch in midfield is not as good as Busi.

Thankfully the changes you suggest wont be made.

 

[linetty]

Iniesta has been shit. I;m starting to think we should line up Rakitic-Busi-Xavi at Etihad.