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Barcelona vs. Manchester City: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info
- Updated: October 18, 2016
Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi is in line to make his first start for the club in almost a month when they play host to Manchester City in the third round of the UEFA Champions League group stage on Wednesday.
The Argentina ace made his return from injury in Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna, scoring in a fixture that no doubt proved to manager Luis Enrique he’s ready for a full comeback in midweek.
Enrique experimented with three at the back in that league triumph, but it’s more than likely the Blaugrana tactician will resort back to the comfort of four in defence for the test of City.
Citizens chief Pep Guardiola will return to his former stomping ground four years after he departed Barca’s helm, and the Spaniard brings with him a squad that’s as close to full fitness as he’s had all season.
Read on for a preview ahead of Wednesday’s European tug-of-war, complete with all the essential viewing information to ensure you don’t miss a minute of what promises to be one of the season’s must-watch matchups.
Date: Wednesday, October 19
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Live Stream: BT Sport app (UK), beIN Sports Connect (US)
TV Info: BT Sport 2 (UK), beIN Sports 1 (US)
Team News
The bad news for Manchester City is Enrique has recovered the vast majority of his first string at just the right moment as they prepare for the Citizens’ visit, with Messi the headliner returning to action.
Bleacher Report’s Rik Sharma noted Andres Iniesta was also rested for the visit of Depor on Saturday, while centre-back Samuel Umtiti is also back fit after seeing out that fixture on the bench:
Wonder if that’s a 3-4-3 for Barcelona with Digne and Rafinha wing-backs. Iniesta rested, Messi and Umtiti on bench after injury
— Rik Sharma (@riksharma_) October 15, 2016
Jordi Alba is also contending for a return to fitness in time for the visit of City after ESPN FC’s Samuel Marsden reported the left-back would be pushing for his place following injury:
Jordi Alba out for 10 days. Will miss Depor game, should be back for Man City.
— Sam Marsden (@samuelmarsden) October 7, 2016
Javier Mascherano could keep his spot alongside Gerard Pique after playing 90 …
