Barcelona 3-3 Manchester City: Match Review

On Wednesday night, all 22 players on the field played for a common objective. The game at Spotify Camp Nou aimed to collect funds to pioneer research on ALS, a crippling disease that took away thousands of lives every year. Barcelona and Manchester City stood in solidarity with the cause.

While the game served its purpose as a crowd puller, there was no shortage of action on the field. Despite being a friendly encounter, both sides fought tooth and nail for the win.

Xavi deployed a rotated lineup against Pep Guardiola’s side and gave a chance to several fringe players who did not get a chance in the opening games.

Inaki Pena started in goal behind a centre-back combination of Gerard Pique and Jules Kounde. Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto completed the defence at left and right-back respectively.

Sergio Busquets, Franck Kessie, and Frenkie de Jong comprised the midfield while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres rounded off the side in attack.

It did not take the Catalans long to get into the rhythm as they created their first chance in just the third minute. Sergi Roberto’s cross into the area was met by Aubameyang whose towering header went straight to the goalkeeper.

It was only after the tenth-minute mark that City found their rhythm and began stringing passes together. Soon, they had a good spell of possession and eventually struck gold in the 21st minute.

The English side’s opening goal came via Julian Alvarez, but all eyes were on Inaki Pena. The goalkeeper came off his line to collect the ball after a miscued pass, but let it slip through to the Argentine’s feet. Alvarez, needless to say, did not struggle to find the back of the open net.

Eight minutes later, Aubameyang scored the equaliser for Barcelona. The Gabonese striker placed the ball into the bottom corner after it ricocheted off Busquets’ head during a Jordi Alba free-kick.

City returned to haunt Pena in the coming minutes as Bernardo Silva and Mahrez tried hunting in a pack. The young goalkeeper rose to the occasion and denied the experienced duo repeatedly.

Heading into the dressing room at half-time, the scores were level at 1-1, but it was City who had the upper hand in terms of opportunities.

Ansu Fati replaced Torres for the second half, which did not get off to the best of starts for the hosts. In the 48th minute, Alvarez was left one-on-one against Pena after an error from Kounde but managed to make a fine double save under pressure.

Gavi, Eric Garcia, Alex Balde, and Memphis Depay came on in the 57th minute. Aubameyang was one of the players called off and received a huge round of applause from the crowd on what was likely his final game for the club.

The fixture burst to life after the hour mark when De Bruyne’s pass to Rodri was intercepted by Gavi. The ball fell at the feet of Frenkie de Jong who instinctively fired it home and netted Barcelona’s second goal.

For the second time in the game, the Blaugranas lead was short-lived. Cancelo got in behind Balde and provided an accurate cross to the feet of Cole Palmer. With the net at his begging, the youngster did not miss.

Abde, Pjanic and Pablo Torre came on for Barcelona in the 72nd minute.

Seven minutes later, the hosts took the lead once again. Sergi Roberto recorded the assist from right-back with a wonderful cross into the box. The ball fell at the feet of Depay who steered it past Ortega in style.

For the final ten minutes, Arnau Tenas, Sergino Dest and Andreas Christensen were called by Xavi.