UEFA Champions League: Manchester City 0-2 Barcelona - Five Talking Points

Two second-half goals from Lionel Messi and Dani Alves meant that City leave for the Camp Nou, with a mountain to club. Although they played well in the first half, the sending off of Martin Demichelis turned the game on its head and ensured that the Catalans returned home, with the tie almost in the bag. Let us now look at the five major talking points from the clash.

#1 Has pellegrini taken one step too many?

At the end of the game, Mancini confronted the referee and criticized him and indulged in a lot of finger pointing and name calling, something that was unheard of in his current rein hitherto. And whilst it is a foregone conclusion that he will face a disciplinary charge from Uefa, the game showed that he wasn’t true to his word as well. All the pre-match talk was about how he wouldn’t change his side’s style against the Catalans, which is precisely what they ended up doing. Whilst it is true that the Chilean went one step too far in his treatment of the referee, the truth is, it was his mistake to set his side up to stifle the opposition rather than go for the kill that led to so many slipups.

#2 Demichelis proves detrimental to City\'s cause yet again

Of late, it has almost become a recurring trend in the big games for City. Pellegrini puts his faith on the experience Demichelis and time and again, he proves to be the Achilles heel for his own side. Against Barcelona, although City held out stoically until the argentine brought down his compatriot Messi, conceded a controversial penalty and got himself sent off. Until then, although the 33-year-old gave the ball away consistently, the efforts of Vincent Kompany was enough to save his blushes, but, in the end, it just wasn’t meant to be. This might well be the final nail in Demichelis’ coffin, who, after a horrendous performance in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the League was lucky to even be in the squad, let alone the starting lineup.

#3 Messi mesmerizes, whilst Fabregas flourishes

After missing out on the Ballon d’Or and being out of the Catalan squad through injury, this was Messi back to his majestic best, showing just why he has won four Ballon d’Or prizes and is considered one of the finest footballers to play the game. And whilst it was the Argentine who got the goal and set the ball rolling, it was another player who thrived at the Etihad. The former Arsenal captain Fábregas illustrated just what he can do on a regular basis, once Xavi hangs up his boots. The Spaniard displayed plenty of energy and invention and also showed his spiky side after an altercation with Yaya Toure. And whilst Messi got the goal, it was the Spaniard who showed just why United were so interested in bringing him to Old Trafford.

#4 Yaya Tour and Silva only sparkled sporadically

Whilst Fábregas and Messi shined for Barcelona, City’s attacking duo of Silva and Touré failed to create too many chances for the attackers. On the 20th minute, Silva slipped in Alvaro Negredo for City's first clear chance but the lone striker failed to accept the opportunity. This but a rare glimpse of attacking play in a game that saw the Spaniard reduced to a mere spectator after Demichelis's sending off. For Touré, it was a case of one step forward and two steps back as the Ivorian failed to create too many chances on a consistent basis. In the end, unable to force the issue, he was left to resort to grappling and fouling, which eventually led to him being cautioned for a foul on Xavi.

#5 Is this going to be yet another disappointing European campaign for City?

For the past few seasons, for all of their domestic dominance, City had looked a pale imitation of their own self in the Champions League. Whilst some put it down to a lack of experience, everybody agreed that things have to get better in Europe, if they are going to establish themselves a famous club. Unfortunately for Pellegrini, this looks like yet another year in which they are going to leave Europe’s premier club competition empty-handed. Unless they improve tremendously in the return leg, it will be a case of lions at home (domestically) and lambs in a slaughter-house away (in Europe).