Pep Guardiola had another nightmare return to Barcelona, two weeks ago, and now in the reverse fixture, the Manchester City manager will hope for a different result, one where his tactics and strategy pay off to give his team a much-required Champions League victory.
This match at the Etihad is not just important for Manchester City to show they are a real force in Europe, but also for the three points. Currently, City are just a point ahead of Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach, and if Guardiola's side fail to pick up a win on Tuesday, there is a good chance they will be third in the table going into the final two matchdays of the group stages.
While Manchester City will still remain favourites to trump both Monchengladbach and Celtic, that is a position Guardiola will not want his team to be in.
In order to beat this Barcelona side, who have won all three of their matches in the UCL so far, Manchester City will need to make sure they don't make any silly mistakes. In the fixture two weeks ago at the Camp Nou, City conceded the opening goal after a defensive slip, before the contest was done and dusted when Claudio Bravo, the former Barcelona goalkeeper, had his moment of madness.
"I have never thought that we can't win a football match and I never will," Guardiola said. "Even when we lost 4-0. It's difficult and we know we need to play almost perfectly to win, and if not, we will congratulate them and move on."
Guardiola was criticised for leaving Sergio Aguero out of the starting lineup for the previous match, with the manager saying he had made the tactical decision and put Kevin De Bruyne as the most advanced player in order to gain control of the midfield. This time, though, Aguero is expected to start, and it will be interesting to see what the strategy of the Spaniard will be.
Luis Enrique will know his team will need to overcome the loss of Andres Iniesta and the defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba, but with Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar up top, Barcelona will always fancy their chances, against any side, at any ground.
"I expect the same kind of game," Enrique said. "I don't think they can be more aggressive in possession than last time. I am hoping for the same. I think both teams want the same thing – to have more of the ball and make the pitch as big as possible when they have it.
"If they leave spaces behind we will take advantage. It will be similar to the first game and I hope it'll be a positive result for us. We will have to be as effective with and without the ball which isn't easy against City who know how to close down space and not lose the ball when they have it."
Where to Watch Live
Manchester City vs Barcelona is scheduled for a 7.45pm GMT (8.45pm CET, 3.45pm ET, 1.15am IST) start. Live Streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Ten 2. Live Streaming: Ten Sports live.
UK: TV: BT Sport 2.
Spain: TV: TV3 and Antena 3.
USA: TV: Fox Sports 1. Live Streaming: Foxsoccer2go.
Canada: TV: TSN 4. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
France, Middle East, France, Indonesia, North Africa, Philippines: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
