Manchester City needs outstanding performance against Barcelona

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City were defeated 1-0 at relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday evening.

The defeat and Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Southampton leaves the Citizens six points behind the league leaders and the Blues also have a game in-hand.

It also leaves City looking over their shoulders nervously with Arsenal just a point behind them and arch-rivals Manchester United just two points behind them.

Europe

City’s attention will be drawn away from the Premier League on Wednesday night though, as Manuel Pellegrini’s side travel to Barcelona for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The first leg ended 2-1 to the team from Catalonia, but it could have proved far worse with Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi seeing a late penalty saved by Joe Hart, before the diminutive forward headed wide with the rebound.

City will have to play far better than they did at Turf Moor, or they could be facing a major embarrassment indeed in Spain.

Performance

City’s performance against Burnley was poor. They had a penalty claim turned down and Clarets keeper Tom Heaton enjoyed a good game, but still Burnley showed more desire and City simply did not show their undoubted quality in the clash.

Tactics

City boss Manuel Pellegrini got his tactics completely wrong against Barcelona in the first leg. He started the game with two up front against a Barcelona team that likes to dominate the ball and they were punished.

It is not the first time the Chilean has made such a naïve tactical mistake. He tends to make a habit of repeating this in Europe and against teams that are simply too good for City.

For all the money that City has spent in the last few years, they are still not good enough to attempt to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona in Europe, very few teams are on current form.

Pellegrini is considered a good coach, but maybe the reason why he is not considered a great coach is the fact that he makes the same tactics over and over. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

If Pellegrini decides to start with two up front against Barcelona on Wednesday night, then the men in the white coats may just come to take the Chilean away, because that would be complete and utter madness.

City do need to get back into the tie, but such is the threat from the Barcelona attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, they also have to make sure they are solid in midfield and defence.

City have been far from solid in either area of the pitch of late and have lost three out of their last four games in all competitions, the sole victory in that run coming against bottom of the table Leicester City.

City have also kept just two clean sheets in their last six games in all competitions, which will be a major concern for Pellegrini and his staff. It is not exactly an encouraging fact heading into a game against arguably the best attacking team in club football.