Champions League 2016/2017 Analysis: Group C, Why Barcelona Failed Against Manchester City

Champions League 2016/2017 Analysis: Group C,  Why Barcelona Failed Against Manchester City.

By Ewah Chika.

For 40 minutes Luis Enrique's Barcelona dominated proceedings away at the Etihad Stadium last night against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the Champions League even though Barcelona were a goal ahead. After humiliating City 4-0 in Camp Nou, it looked like the same scoreline will be repeated as Barcelona enjoyed as much as 75% of possession in addition to Lionel Messi's sublime opener making it his 14th goal in 16 games against English clubs.


Barcelona will soon fall like a pack of cards before half time after Sergi Roberto's mistake was converted by Ilkay Gundogan from a Raheem Sterlings pass. By the start of the second half, Barcelona were dead and buried as City tore them to shreds  with their more direct style and pace. It was obvious for all that Guardiola had clearly abandoned his favoured possession football for an energetic high pressing style which utilised the pace and fitness of his attackers (Raheem Sterling, Kelvin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan). This was not just the only masterclass by Guardiola as he shifted De Bruyne to the middle of the park taking Silva to the flank considering the energy and technique of the Belgian. In the second half, Barcelona still had the possession but they obviously lacked ideas and creativity judging from the gap between Barcelona's defence and attack. Barca played like a team two men less as they couldn't match City's energy often resorting to play catch up, with Sergio Busquets out of his depth and the worst player on the night. Kelvin De Bruyne will quickly make it 2-1 from a free-kick after Busquets  fouled Silva. As if that wasn't enough, City will score a third as Gundogan scored his fourth goal in a week (two games).

At the end of the game, Guardiola would be elated to have gotten his pound of flesh from his former club having lost 6-0 two weeks ago. Barcelona on their own should be worried considering the game isn't a one-off. This is because Barca lack energy in midfield which shouldn't have worried them ordinarily if they still played their old style of possession football as this didn't rely much on energy . This was the case under Guardiola who had the likes of Xavi, Andre Iniesta , Sergio Busquests and Cesc Fabregas to rely on. This style was changed by Enrique after his appointment as Barca became more physical and direct with the addition of Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez which added more energy to the team. Though this more direct style has been successful for a long time, it seems to be failing as Barca have struggled against  sides who play high energy football considering their 4-0 pre-season loss to Liverpool, 1-0 loss to Alaves and then the loss to City. It is not as though Gomes and Busquets aren't good enough for the side rather the problem is that these players lack the energy needed to boss the midfield and push the opposition which will henceforth be exploited by opponents.

Also worth of mention is Guardiola's flexibility which saw him switch to a more rationale style rather than stick to a failing possession against his old club.

"After our first error we lost our way," were the words of Enrique after the loss which summarises the feeling in Nou Camp.

City might be two points behind City In the group yet that wouldn't deter them jubilating after beating Barcelona for the first time in the Champions League having suffered several defeats from the Nou Camp club.