The English champions taught a lesson that the English champions never seem to learn.
This wasn’t the first time a Barcelona team came and humbled the Premier League’s elite and it wasn’t much different either as Luis Enrique’s men ran right over the top of Man City for a shortcut into the quarter finals despite Sergio Aguero’s best efforts.
And, Barca might’ve been home and hosed if it wasn’t for Joe Hart’s 94th minute penalty save to deny an otherwise brilliant Lionel Messi.
So what did we learn – again – as the Catalan giants saw off the blue half of Manchester in their 2-1 first leg victory at the Etihad?
1. Luis Suarez is a decent player
My, oh my, must Joe Hart hate the sight of the Uruguayan.
Suarez’s two first half finishes – one to the bottom left, the other to the bottom right – were as clinical and as instinctive as they come and they offered the City goalkeeper absolutely no chance.
20 – Luis Suárez (8 goals, 12 assists) has been involved in 20 goals in his first 23 @FCBarcelona games (all competitions). Adapted.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) February 24, 2015
Barca’s summer signing is relentless with every single ball he even gets a half sniff of and he led the line for the Spaniards tonight with frightening intensity.
2. Vincent Kompany is having an awful time
At 28, you’d think the Belgian would be hitting the form of his life and, whilst he is, it’s the worst kind of form.
The Barca attack wiped the floor with the City skipper like they do with most defenders in fairness but Kompany was so lax for both goals that he deserved the ruthless punishment that was issued for each lapse.
Vincent Kompany vs Barcelona tonight pic.twitter.com/nbO04W6RHA
— Oh My Goal (@OhMyGoalUS) February 24, 2015
3. City’s weak spine
With Kompany not the inspirational leader that he has been in the past and Demichelis standing beside him, that’s bad enough. But then you have James Milner and Fernando tasked with acting as the home side’s beating heart. How can you expect any sort of blood to keep pumping through City’s veins with that supply line?
4. Barcelona are brilliant – even if that surprises Mark Lawrenson
A rare trophyless season last year saw Barca bizarrely go off the radar somewhat. People seemed to forget that they are still majestic.
It’s no shame to go down to a well-oiled machine like they’ve manufactured at the Nou Camp and some of the football, the control, the constant openings that the visitors worked was breathtaking. Their speed of play, their speed of thought, their overall game was a sight to behold.
Lawrenson was on co-commentary though and he thought he noticed something that has escaped everyone else in the past. “They don’t get enough praise for the work they do off the ball.”
Yes, they do.
5. Lionel Messi
Sometimes, two words are enough. Lionel Messi.
He’s a gorgeous player, a delicious footballer, a scrumptious man. He might well have missed a last minute penalty with a good save from Hart but everything apart from that the Argentine touched turned to gold.
His running, his passing, his creation of all that was good is just pure genius. He’s the only man ever that the word genius is overused for.
https://twitter.com/TheWMformation/status/570319805619810304
6. The battle of the magicians
Messi v David Silva.
The world sat up in eager anticipation. Only one man came to the battle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INPFYAK-JFM
7. Pellegrini got his tactics wrong
The City boss went for it, he took a shot. He showed that he has cahonies and we like… cahonies.
But playing two up top, going 4-4-2 against Barcelona did not work. It left Milner and Fernando hugely exposed in the middle of the park and Nasri and Silva completely ineffective as they continued to ponder whether or not they should be tracking back after the away side’s rampaging full backs.
As for Dzeko, the man who was brought in to make it happen, he let his manager down on this occasion and spurned a couple of monumental chances after the break.
Edin Džeko has just started work at your local petrol station and hasn't got the hang of the till yet.
— Football Likealooks (@FTBL_Likealooks) February 24, 2015
8. Sergio Aguero is still Sergio Aguero
The Argentine leading the line for the blues didn’t enjoy his night as much.
It was hard not to feel sorry for him because, in the brief occasions City committed to attack, he sprang to life and he is the reason they are still in this tie.
Marginally.
9. The manager got a response
Manuel Pellegrini is one of the most likable men in football if not just for his constant ignorance to Jose Mourinho’s petty mind games.
Whilst he got it wrong in the first period, he really sparked a reaction from his side in the second and the game turned from a genuine hammering to a much more competitive fixture.
https://twitter.com/BookieBashers_/status/570321811453431809
10. You can’t compete with Barca’s strength in depth
Barcelona really taking the piss now and bringing on Tony Hibbert pic.twitter.com/UcsdpWzffK
— Daniel Harris (@DanielHarris) February 24, 2015
11. It was just a night to forget for Edin Dzeko
