Manchester City vs. Barcelona: Score, Reaction from 2016 Champions League Match

Ilkay Gundogan scored twice to help Manchester City beat Barcelona 3-1 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Gundogan equalised Lionel Messi’s opener in the first half at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, before completing his brace in the second after a stunning free-kick from Kevin De Bruyne had given City a deserved lead.

The win is a huge statement from City against the five-time winners of the Champions League. City manager Pep Guardiola won two of those trophies but saw his new side produce football of a quality to rival even his best Barca teams.

Guardiola’s men have now narrowed the gap in Group C to just two points with as many matches left to play.

Barcelona included left-back Lucas Digne and centre-back Samuel Umtiti in a reshuffled defence, while former Valencia man Andre Gomes came into midfield, per the tournament’s official site:

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Mascherano, Umtiti, Digne, Busquets, Rakitić, André Gomes, Messi, Neymar, Suárez. #UCL pic.twitter.com/hiqdvPmyWj

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 1, 2016

The same source showed how John Stones partnered Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the City defence:

Man. City: Caballero, Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Gündoğan, Silva, Sterling, De Bruyne, Agüero. #UCL pic.twitter.com/B9o1gsvyzJ

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 1, 2016

City were aggrieved not to be given a penalty inside the first 10 minutes when winger Raheem Sterling appeared to be felled in the box. However, referee Viktor Kassai opted to book ex-Liverpool man Sterling instead.

It was the first of a series of decisions that hardly endeared Kassai to the City faithful.

Still, even though they didn’t get a penalty, City continued to pose a threat against a fragile Barca back four. BT Sport host Gary Lineker felt the visitors were inviting chances and …

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