Manchester City and Barcelona - Combined XI
In the most highly anticipated clash in the Champions League last 16, Manchester City host Barcelona on Tuesday night. Whether Manuel Pellegrini’s free-scoring juggernaut can be toppled by the precise passers and possession masters Barça is surely set to be an intriguing affair. City will surely need to take a lead to the Camp Nou if they are to have any hope of progressing, but can Barcelona contain them at the Etihad?
The duo boast some of the world’s finest talent within their ranks but if you could create an XI based on both of their squads, who would make the cut? We’ve put our heads together here at Squawka and here is the result, fashioned in a 4-3-3 formation. This eleven is based on current form and injury status.
Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes
Although the 32-year-old’s stay at the Camp Nou looks like coming to an end in the summer he remains one of Europe’s best goalkeeper. With 7 saves per goal conceded this season, if Valdes does decide to move on he will have no shortage of suitors.
Right-back: Dani Alves
The Brazilian epitomises the modern full-back. The 30-year-old has an abundance of pace and loves to get forward, but is more than reliable in defence. He also possesses a good delivery from the wide areas and is amongst the world’s best in his position, almost operating as a winger at times. A handful for any team in the world. Pablo Zabaleta is undeniably solid, but Alves’ attacking instinct and goal threat helps him win the number two shirt.
Centre-back: Vincent Kompany
The first Manchester City player to make it into the side is captain Kompany. The Belgian has struggled with injuries this season but easily claims a place in the side ahead of his rivals. His organisation and leadership skills are vitaland he is the perfect candidate to marshal the back line. At 27 years of age he is approaching his peak and it is no surprise he has been linked with a move to the Spanish giants in the past, such is his confidence in possession. A Champions League pass accuracy of 94% would not look out of place in Barcelona’s team but puts him top of the pile at City.
Centre-back: Gerard Pique
Although the Spaniard’s reputation is not what it was a couple of years ago when Barcelona were at the height of their powers he remains a solid and skilful option. An ever present in the group stages, he boasted a passing accuracy of 92%, completed 80% of his take ons and lost just 33% of his tackles. If he still plied his trade in England there would be a petition to move him into a defensive midfield role, with the view having a player so comfortable on the ball in defence is a waste, but he provides the thrust from the back that props up Barcelona’s passing moves. Pique alongside Kompany would be hard to beat by even the world’s best attacks.
Left-back: Jordi Alba
One of the least experienced in Barcelona’s defence is the 24-year-old Alba. Despite being bought from Valencia he looks like he is a graduate of La Masia academy. Similarly to Alves he thrives on getting forward, which both would be able to do given the solidity of our centre-back pairing. He has slotted seamlessly into Barca’s style and formation and will only get better. While City’s left sided defenders may feel aggrieved to have been left out, it is Alba’s attacking threat that has edged out Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy.
Defensive Midfield: Sergio Busquets
Busquets is not the most likeable of players, but he fulfils his role in Barcelona’s midfield with ruthless efficiency. He is excellent at sniffing out danger, breaking up play and slowing the game down when his side needs a breather. He feeds the more creative talents with pin point yet simple passes and is the fulcrum that transforms defence into attack. When the 25-year-old was rested for the 2-1 loss against Ajax in the group stage it was unsurprising as Gerardo Martino does not have another player in his squad that can match Busquets in his preferred role. Few players in the world can.