Barcelona vs Manchester City combined XI: Lionel Messi’s in, but can Sergio Aguero make front three — and who’s in goal?
Ahead of mega Champions League clash at Nou Camp, we look at the players on show - and create a super team
BARCELONA host Manchester City in the Champions League once again.
And, for the first time, many are giving the two-time Premier League winners are a chance.
Pep Guardiola won 14 major trophies in four seasons at the Nou Camp — and there can’t be many better placed to know how to beat the Catalan giants.
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But is his City side better than Barcelona on paper?
We’re going to put that to the test with our combined XI.
Goalkeeper
Claudio Bravo
SOMEWHAT ironic that the best goalkeeper on show is the one Barcelona allowed to leave for the Etihad in the summer.
And, arguably, the best stopper of the lot is one City have sent out on loan to Torino.
But Joe Hart isn’t available — so Bravo comes beats both Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jasper Cillessen on the basis he’s better with both his feet and his hands.
Defence
Bacary Sagna
BARCA haven’t replaced Dani Alves, who left for Juventus in the summer.
Sergi Roberto is OK, but not amazing.
After years of great service from Pablo Zabaleta, Sagna has made the right-back slot his own — and comfortably makes the team.
Gerard Pique
A NO contest — by far the best defender on show.
Given their style of play, the former Manchester United ace is up against John Stones.
But his experience and calmness means Pique is definite in almost any team in the world.
Javier Mascherano
THIS is a closer call with Nicolas Otamendi rapidly improving under Guardiola.
But Mascherano is one of most reliable around.
Central defence has never been his most natural position — but his ability to adapt is what makes him such a class act.
Jordi Alba
AND it’s not even close.
Neither Gael Clichy nor Aleksandar Kolarov are at the level City aspire to reach.
While Alba may not be everybody’s cup of tea, he is a good player — and clearly superior to his competition here.
Midfield
Sergio Busquets
THERE are few if any more capable of turning defence into attack like Barcelona’s No.5.
Fernandinho is reliable and not someone you would enjoy playing against.
But Busquets is one of the best players around. He would walk into any side in the world.
David Silva
HE MAY be getting on a bit, but he’s still a diamond.
Silva has been one of the first names on City’s — and Spain’s — team-sheet.
Ivan Rakitic isn’t too shabby either, but he just misses out.
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Andres Iniesta
NOW 32, he is used more sporadically.
But, Iniesta has made his name by being the ultimate big-name player — who pops up with a goal when his club or country need it most.
Kevin de Bruyne is class, but just misses out.
Attack
Luis Suarez
RAHEEM STERLING has come on leaps and bounds this season — and is sure to continue improving.
But Suarez has a strong case for being the world’s best performer in 2016.
A must in almost any side in the game, and easily beats his former Liverpool team-mate.
Lionel Messi
NAME a player — the little Argentinian starts ahead of him.
Messi is just a genius and his talent just seems to know no bounds.
Has won the Ballon d’Or five times and is still an outside bet to add to his tally this year, so Nolito really had no chance from the start.
Sergio Aguero
THE most difficult decision of all.
Neymar is world class — and a vital cog in Barcelona’s frightening front three.
But Aguero has been around longer, in weaker teams, and keeps producing year-after-year.
Manager
Pep Guardiola
THIS really isn’t as close as it should be.
Luis Enrique has won eight trophies in his first two seasons with Barcelona — and created arguably the greatest strikeforce in history.
But you’d struggle to find anyone who would pick him ahead of the City boss.
Guadiola it is.