historic task awaits man city in barcelona
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today
Egypt Today, egypt today
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today

Historic task awaits Man City in Barcelona

Egypt Today, egypt today

Egypt Today, egypt today Historic task awaits Man City in Barcelona

Manchester City's James Milner
Barcelona - Arab Today

Manchester City face a huge challenge if they are to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the first time ever by overturning a 2-1 first leg deficit when they travel to an in-form Barcelona on Wednesday.
The English champions were outplayed at home for the second season in a row at this stage of the competition three weeks ago and could have been even further behind travelling to the Catalan capital had Joe Hart not saved a Lionel Messi penalty in stoppage time at the Etihad.
Both sides also come into the game at the Camp Nou in contrasting form domestically. City's title challenge appears all but over after a shock 1-0 defeat at relegation threatened Burnley on Saturday, whilst Barca have soared to the top of La Liga in recent weeks on a run of 16 victories in their last 17 games.
Yet, City boss Manuel Pellegrini is insistent that his job is not on the line should elimination at the Camp Nou all but seal a trophyless season.
"I have no sense whatsoever that my job's at risk," the Chilean told The Guardian.
"The Champions League is very important but it can't distort everything."
Pellegrini was criticised by many for his over-eager attacking intent in the first leg, which allowed Barca's star front three of Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar to prosper.
However, he believes that philosophy is what still gives them a chance despite the daunting prospect of having to win at the Camp Nou.
"The starting point is that it is possible to go to Barcelona and win. We have to have that mentality, our mentality.
"Our identity is to have a big-team mentality, to go to win. And now losing 2-1, we have to attack."
By contrast, Barcelona now have a treble in their sights with a potentially decisive La Liga clash with eternal rivals Real Madrid to come on Sunday and a Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao to look forward to at the end of the campaign.
The backbone of the upturn in form from Luis Enrique's men has been Messi's incredible form as the Argentine took his tally for the season to 43 goals in just 39 games with a double against Eibar at the weekend.
However, Suarez has also begun to make his presence felt after a club record move from Liverpool in the summer as last season's Premier League Player of the Year has struck six times in his last five games, including both his side's goals in the first leg.
"It is pleasing to help the team with important goals in a Champions League knockout game and of course to return to England and beat a team you're always motivated to face," Suarez told Uefa.com.
"Players like me get inspired when fans boo them – it helps motivate you a bit more."
Barca will be without the injured Sergio Busquets, so Jeremy Mathieu is expected to deputise in central defence with Javier Mascherano moving into midfield.
Gael Clichy is City's only absentee, the French defender is suspended after being sent-off in the first leg.
Source: AFP

 

egypttoday
egypttoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

historic task awaits man city in barcelona historic task awaits man city in barcelona



GMT 09:05 2017 Wednesday ,20 September

IMF hails economic measures taken by Lebanese government

GMT 08:58 2017 Friday ,14 April

Sudanese president leaves Bahrain

GMT 15:53 2017 Thursday ,10 August

Israel threatens to blow up Gaza houses

GMT 09:50 2011 Monday ,27 June

Total salary basis of gratuity: Dubai court

GMT 07:14 2014 Sunday ,30 November

Sound and light show held in Brussels

GMT 10:42 2016 Saturday ,19 March

Is migrant crisis swinging back to Libya

GMT 09:41 2011 Tuesday ,09 August

Egypt\'s Marilyn Monroe dies at 82

GMT 10:32 2015 Monday ,26 January

The four players in the Syrian arena

GMT 13:28 2016 Monday ,19 September

Emmy winners in key categories
 
 Egypt Today Facebook,egypt today facebook  Egypt Today Twitter,egypt today twitter Egypt Today Rss,egypt today rss  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
egypttoday, Egypttoday, Egypttoday