{"id":1516,"date":"2016-10-19T17:18:49","date_gmt":"2016-10-19T21:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=1516"},"modified":"2016-10-19T18:55:34","modified_gmt":"2016-10-19T22:55:34","slug":"barcelona-4-manchester-city-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/10\/19\/barcelona-4-manchester-city-0\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona 4 Manchester City 0: Home Side Triumphs In Pep Guardiola’s Return"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barcelona<\/strong> gained full control of Group C<\/strong> in the UEFA Champions League<\/strong> on Wednesday in a 4-0 home victory over Manchester City<\/strong>, with a Lionel Messi<\/strong> hat-trick sealing a comfortable win. Former Blaugrana manager Pep Guardiola<\/strong> saw his side ultimately undone by issues in possession and a second-half red card to goalkeeper Claudio Bravo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

City began well, as movement up the right flank from Raheem Sterling<\/strong> and Pablo Zabaleta<\/strong> created chances in the early stages. An injury to Jordi Alba<\/strong> saw Barcelona manager Luis Enrique<\/strong> go to his bench early, as Lucas Digne<\/strong> was subbed on in the 10th minute.<\/p>\n

Back in the starting line-up after a recent groin injury, Messi soon gave the hosts a lead that they would not relinquish. Streaking up the right side, Messi saw a pass inside to Andres Iniesta<\/strong> make its way back to him directly in front of goal. The Barcelona forward slotted home his first on the night<\/a>, leaving Bravo and Fernandinho<\/strong> on the pitch in his wake.<\/p>\n

Gerard Pique\u2019s<\/strong> evening ended early in the first half also, as Jeremy Mathieu<\/strong> was brought on just before halftime. Two first-half injuries and another strong sequence from City seemed to be setting up a dramatic ending, but\u00a0the straight red card issued to Bravo after coming off his line\u00a0put the visitors in a difficult position.<\/p>\n

Turnovers lead to two more goals from Messi in a span of eight minutes soon after Bravo was sent off. A loss of possession from Kevin De Bruyne<\/strong> ended with Messi striking near post<\/a> on substitute goalkeeper Willy Caballero<\/strong>, and Luis Suarez<\/strong> seized a poor pass back to John Stones<\/strong> to provide the assist on the Argentine\u2019s third goal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Two yellow cards to Mathieu brought each team\u2019s players level with ten a side, but by then it was too late for Manchester City. After missing a penalty kick two minutes earlier, Neymar<\/strong> added a fourth goal (89\u2019) to finish off a dominant result.<\/p>\n

Both clubs await a rematch on Tuesday November 1st at the Etihad Stadium<\/strong> in their next group stage contest.<\/p>\n

PEP RETURNS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pep Guardiola made his emotional return to Catalonia and knew he was in for a difficult challenge. His decision not to start striker Sergio Aguero<\/strong> was met with criticism before the match, but in the end losing Bravo to a red card was too much to overcome.<\/p>\n

Despite strong pressure from various points in the match and Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen<\/strong>\u00a0needing to make\u00a0several incredible saves, City simply could not find the needed breakthrough.<\/p>\n

MESSI BACK IN THE STARTING LINE-UP<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After a substitute appearance and scoring in Barcelona\u2019s 4-0 league victory over Deportivo de La Coruna<\/strong> on Saturday, Lionel Messi recorded a statement of intent against his former manager Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

Along with Luis Suarez and Neymar, the Barca frontline\u2019s constant pressure forced poor decisions from City players and was too much to handle after going down a man.<\/p>\n

INJURY CONCERNS FOR LUIS ENRIQUE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A strong win did come with some concerns for Barcelona, as both Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique were taken off in the first half due to injury.<\/p>\n

How much time the duo miss could have an impact on both Barcelona\u2019s Champions League and La Liga <\/strong>campaigns.<\/p>\n

LINE-UPS<\/strong><\/p>\n

BARCELONA<\/strong>: Ter Stegen, Mascherano, Pique (Mathieu 39\u2019, OFF 73\u2019), Umtiti, Alba (Digne 10\u2019), Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta (Gomes 80\u2019), Neymar, Suarez, Messi<\/p>\n

Unused subs<\/strong>: Masip, Rafinha, Turan, Alcacer<\/p>\n

MANCHESTER CITY<\/strong>: Bravo (OFF 53\u2019), Zabaleta (Clichy 57\u2019), Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Gundogan (Aguero 79\u2019), Silva, Sterling, Nolito (Caballero 57\u2019), De Bruyne<\/p>\n

Unused subs<\/strong>: Maffeo, Fernando, Navas, Sane<\/p>\n

REFEREE<\/strong>: Milorad Mazic<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n