The Champions League draw took place last week, and critics are already debating the possibility of Man City defeating Barcelona this year. Luis Enrique’s side has been deemed somewhat ‘unstable’ after using 22 different line-ups in 22 different games this season. As a result, the squad has looked disjointed.
Barca have lost to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid away, and although they beat PSG at home last week it only served to illustrate the coach’s incoherence as he picked a completely different side to face Getafe on Saturday which drew 0-0. The UEFA Champions League betting odds indicate that there is a high chance it is Man City who will now go through.
There have been little efforts for the Barca side to rebuilt themselves, with the sale of Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich last year and the turning down of Toni Kroos in the summer speeding the decay. In defence, Dani Alves continues at right-back because there is no alternative.
Meanwhile, PSG manager Laurent Blanc has reacted to Jose Mourinho’s comments on the Chelsea-PSG showdown, in a repeat of last year’s quarter-final. Demba Ba’s late strike secured victory for the Blues on away goals.
The Frenchman said: “Did Mourinho win the psychological battle [last season]? If he wins a point, it is because he’s playing a game. I have no game to play mind games with Jose. We know him, we know him very well. [The media] like that, you like his quotes, that’s it. He’s very strong in this aspect but not only that.”
