UCL: Manchester City beat Barcelona 3-1 in a Sensational Display
Manchester City delivered a sensational second-half display to beat Barcelona at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s men started brightly and had a penalty shout turned down before they were caught out by a clinical counter-attack.
Lionel Messi and Neymar exchanged passes before the Argentine coolly slotted past Willy Caballero.
But from then on, City dominated and deservedly drew level as Ilkay Gundogan turned home a Raheem Sterling cross.
The hosts took the lead early in the second-half through a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick before wasting a host of chances to extend their lead.
City did wrap things up with 15 minutes to go though as Gundogan smashed home from close range.
Here are five things we learned from a Champions League classic at the Etihad.
Kevin De Bruyne scores their second goal from a freekickIlkay Gundogan scores their third goal
It’s a historic victory for City as they defeat Barcelona by three goals to one.
A storming comeback by Pep’s side after Messi’s opener.
Superb character and proof of where they can be at their best under Guardiola.
Manchester City 3-1 Barcelona was the score at the final whistle of their Champions League clash.
City came back from Messi's early goal to achieve this feat.
Ilkay Gundogan’s brace and Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick in reply to a special Messi goal probably clinched City’s greatest win in Europe.
Guardiola believes they did so against ‘the best team in the world,’ is he right?
Barcelona were rampant early on and almost put the game out of sight after Messi’s opener.
But City survived before turning the tide for a historic win.
De Bruyne makes the difference
City were nothing short of sensational in the second-half and De Bruyne was at the heart of their play.
He put his side in front with a stunning free-kick and then had an integral role in the third, which wrapped up the victory.
De Bruyne’s perfectly-weighted pass picked out Jesus Navas and after Aguero failed to convert, Gundogan was on hand to smash home.
The German has four goals in as many days but it was De Bruyne who caught the eye again as he delivered at the vital moments.
Is there anyone better in English football right now?
Both sets of defenders endured a tough night at the Etihad with Sergi Roberto, in particular, struggling.
The Barca full-back was at fault for the leveller and almost gifted City a second with another slack pass - and his opposite number Pablo Zabaleta didn’t fare much better.
The Argentine, who hadn’t played since the defeat at the Nou Camp, simply didn’t appear up to the task against Barca’s front three.
He isn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last to struggle against Messi and co. but it appears time is starting to catch up with him.
LUIS ENRIQUE'S REACTION;
Luis Enrique believes his side played superbly until they allowed City back in with the equaliser.
“We played 40 spectacular minutes, but we committed a key mistake and that hurt us because we are not machines,” admits the Blaugrana boss.
“They forced us into mistakes, more than usual. Now the group is open and our objective is to win the two games left.”
Iniesta leaves a huge hole to fill
Luis Enrique went into the clash without a number of key players.
Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba were certainly missed at the Etihad but without Andres Iniesta, Barca are not the same team.
Andre Gomes, who replaced him, did OK but the Spanish skipper makes this side tick.
Without him, the visitors were uncharacteristically sloppy as City forced them into mistakes before going on to dominate after the break.
Throughout the second-half, they needed someone to get his foot on the ball and calm things down.
Unfortunately for Enrique, he’s on the treatment table.
Barcelona players look dejected following Kevin De Bruyne's goal
Pep's pressing game pays off
They might play a better passing game than anyone on the planet but even Barca’s stars can make mistakes.
With Marc-Andre ter Stegen starting attacks from the back, City set to press the visitors high up the pitch - and it paid off.
Pressure was put on Sergi Roberto at right-back, who opted to play a calamitous pass across the box.
Sergio Aguero intercepted and found Raheem Sterling, who in turn picked out Ilkay Gundogan. He simply couldn’t miss.
History almost repeated itself early in the second-half as Roberto again gave the ball away but Sterling could only find the side netting this time.
It is almost impossible to press Barca for 90 minutes but they can be squeezed into errors and City proved it to drag themselves back into the tie.
That was the foundation for their outstanding second-half display.
Ilkay Gundogan relish scoring the equaliser
“It was a mistake, a lovely free-kick, but a huge mistake. City deserve it though,” says the former City player.
Ferdinand has been raving about City’s pressing tonight in the studio.
“When you win it, attack! Don’t think about it, just create a problem for the opponent. They could have had two or three more goals. Look at Silva - who associated him with pressing before this? You win it, you don’t stand still, you need runners.”
De Bruyne and Gundogan react to MASSIVE win
“It was a big game for us, we know we would be under pressure,” conceded De Bruyne to BT Sport. “We made a few mistakes but the second half we were very good and deserved the victory.”
“I faked to shoot it [the free-kick] over the left side of the wall and then it’s difficult to go back to the other side.”
Gundogan, with his second double for City, did admit the team were nervous.
“We started nervous to be honest. I think the result is more than fair. In the second half it was an unbelievable game from us.”
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