Wednesday 19 October. Camp Nou – Barcelona. 20:40 CET.
After giving his final instructions and sending his Manchester City side on their way, Pep Guardiola will make a familiar journey. Starting at the dressing room at the beginning of the player’s tunnel, he will stroll past the miniature chapel on the right hand side as he makes his way along the stretch that leads from the changing area to pitchside. The mixture of noise from the Catalan crowd and the playing of the UEFA Champions League hymn will be filtering in, making its way towards him, initially sounding muffled as the waves of sound cascade down from the steep sides of the Camp Nou.
On his way up the short flight of steps at the end of the tunnel, the floodlights initially slightly obscured from view, will soon be shining brightly into his eyes and the explosion of colour from the stand opposite will start to become more vivid. The sound of the crowd will become clearer and he knows he will soon be met by a cacophony of noise as he reaches the top step and is finally pitchside. Cheers from both sets of fans will greet him; the Catalan public pleased to again see the returning son back at his spiritual home, even if as an opposing manager.
The Barcelona club badge that adorns the area of grass between the two technical areas and the side of the pitch will be temporarily invisible as scores of photographers and cameramen await the embrace. Luis Enrique will already be there, waiting to greet his former teammate with a handshake and a hug, both wishing each other luck before turning away and taking a seat in opposing dugouts.
Pep has returned.
FC Barcelona v Manchester City Preview
In his pre-match press conference, Luis Enrique called Pep Guardiola “the best coach in the world”. For whilst this Champions League group match may seem all about the return of one man, there is an important three points at stake for both sides.
Barcelona have won all four previous meetings with Manchester City, and have also won their last 12 Champions League home matches to boot. Enrique’s side are a formidable force at home and will look to be out on the front foot in what is sure to be one of the best Champions League group stage matchups in recent history.
Since Guardiola has arrived at City he has imposed his brand of possession and high-tempo passing football on the club; his City side look transformed from a year ago under Manuel Pelligrini when the players were lacklustre and devoid of energy and ideas.
The impact Guardiola has had in such a short space of time is remarkable, although given the previous examples at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, may not be unexpected.
The legacy he left behind at Barcelona is still roughly the blueprint the Blaugrana follow to this day, with Enrique adding a more dynamic counter-attacking twist on Guardiola’s Cruyffian methods. The result should be an enthralling encounter and one certainly for those who like their football to be played with skill and verve, but also with control and purpose.
Team News
For Barcelona, the only player missing is Jasper Cillessen who is out with an ankle injury, meaning a continuation in goal for Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. Enrique confirmed that defensive pair Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba had trained and were available for selection. Lionel Messi came from the bench to score the fourth goal in Barca’s last La Liga match as Los Cules beat Deportivo La Coruna 4-0, so he will make his full return to the side.
Claudio Bravo and Nolito make returns to their former club and are in contention to start for Manchester City. Guardiola has to contend with injuries to Bacary Sagna and Vincent Kompany, with the City captain unlikely to be risked.
With City not having been victorious in their past three games there is a gentle pressure for them to secure a positive result; even if a narrow defeat would not be viewed as embarrassing given the calibre of the opposition. In the context of the overall group however, City will be targeting at least two points from these back-to-back fixtures against Barcelona with the Catalans currently holding a two point advantage over the Citizens.
“This is not a match between the coaches. The players are the ones who’ll decide victory and defeat”, Enrique stated this week. While what he said is true in a literal sense, the reality is that these former teammates will see this as a chance to pit their team’s playing style against the other and look to be the winner.
Main Photo
