Manchester City Defeated Themselves with Costly Errors in Barcelona

In many ways, Manchester City’s performance against Barcelona on Wednesday was the best they’ve managed in their five recent encounters with the La Liga side.

The previous four games, all defeats, saw City outclassed for long periods without ever looking a threat. This time they were on par with their more illustrious opponents for much of the opening 53 minutes, before Claudio Bravo saw red for a moment of madness.

The Chilean’s dismissal changed the flow of the game, resulting in a 4-0 defeat—the heaviest of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career and one that leaves City in a difficult situation in Group C.

Guardiola’s return to the club he spent 11 years as a player and four hugely successful years as a manager was ruined by a moment of madness from a player he signed this summer and installed as his No. 1 at the expense of Joe Hart, a highly regarded player in East Manchester.

It was City’s fourth game without a win, a crisis in the eyes of some, but there were some positives to be taken.

City conceded two in quick succession after Bravo’s dismissal, but before that major turning point, they had created chances and matched the home side in terms of pressing and the speed of their passing. John Stones missed a free header when City were just a goal behind, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen made three outstanding saves throughout the night. Even Barcelona’s opener, scored by Lionel Messi, had a touch of misfortune about it, as Fernandinho slipped in the area at a crucial moment.

[STANDINGS] How Group C looks after Barça’s 4-0 win over Man City and ‘Gladbach’s win away at Celtic #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/6hSyRSeQpl

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 19, 2016

This wasn’t a case of City being outdone by a far superior side, like it was in 2014 and 2015. On those occasions, City had to hold their hands up and admit they were second best. On this occasion their inferiority complex appeared to have dissipated, and belief ran through the side. They wanted the ball, and when they got, it they took risks and moved it quickly and effectively.

But Bravo’s red card proved crucial. He came out to deal with danger and made a hash of his clearance, playing it straight to Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan attempted to lob the ‘keeper, who instinctively stuck his hands up to stop the shot. He was well outside his area, leaving referee Milorad Mazic with only one option.

There were many left confused by Guardiola’s decision to send Hart on loan to Torino without giving him a chance to impress, with his inferior ball-playing …

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com