5 Things Manchester City Must Address for Champions League 2nd Leg vs. Barcelona

With Manchester City’s season perilously close to being over, a win against Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 match is imperative. City go into the game 2-1 down from the first leg, with their chances of progression looking somewhat thin.

They are five points behind Chelsea in the Premier League table with the west London side having played a game less. After last season’s two trophies, City look set to finish this one empty-handed.

Joe Hart’s last-gasp penalty save from Lionel Messi in the first leg at the Etihad kept City in the tie. It’s still a difficult task, with City needing to score at least two in the Camp Nou, but they go there with some hope, at least.

Here are five things City need to do to maximise their chances of moving through to the last eight of the competition for the first time.

1. Be Tactically Flexible

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If there has been one main criticism of the City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, since he arrived in England, it has been of his stubbornness. Pellegrini believes a 4-4-2 formation suits City’s squad of players and rarely deviates but for an injury crisis.

In the first leg, City looked too open, with Barcelona able to pick them off and dominate the midfield battle. They cannot make the same mistake again.

This match will be different in the sense that City must take risks to get the two goals they need but starting the match too open, as they did at the Etihad, would be foolish and could see the tie over before City get a foothold in the game.

Pellegrini must surely begin with a five-man midfield and be prepared to make alterations to suit the match as it progresses.

2. Play David Silva in the Hole

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With a slightly more conservative approach and a packed midfield, City are able to play David Silva as a No. 10; a role he excels in.

It is there he can roam freely, picking passes in dangerous areas and have the kind of influence which can win the game. He remains the most creative player at City and allowing him a more central role usually sees him play his best football.

3. Get Yaya Toure Back in the Midfield

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Yaya Toure’s suspension may not have affected City in the group stage, given they managed two wins without him to ensure their passage through to the knockout phase, but he was a huge loss in the first leg against the Spanish giants.

City were too easily outmaneuvered in the middle of the pitch. Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta, in particular, had way too much freedom to pick passes and dictate play.

With Toure, arguably City’s most influential player, back in the mix, they will have a much more physical presence in the midfield.

4. Go There with Belief

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City’s problems in the Champions League have often appeared to stem from a lack of belief, an inability to accept they are of the requisite quality to compete with the very best.

Some of their performances have been inhibited by fear. The only way they will get a positive result over in Barcelona is if they believe they are capable of beating them.

City have been the dominant force in English football over the last four seasons, but they have only fleetingly shown their best in the Champions League. They need to produce their best performance to date to get through this test.

5. Diffuse Lionel Messi

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It may seem somewhat myopic to focus on one player, especially given the array of talent Barcelona are blessed with, but the form of Lionel Messi is so good that special attention has to be paid to him.

He has been directly involved in 42 goals for Barcelona this season, with his hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday the 24th time he has hit three goals in a La Liga game.

He was the best player on the pitch at the Etihad, and City need to reduce his impact this time around.

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Lionel Messi has now scored 40+ goals in six consecutive seasons (all competitions). Out of this world. pic.twitter.com/Jbrh089f1g

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 8, 2015"

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Most hat-tricks in La Liga history Lionel Messi (24) Cristiano Ronaldo (23) Telmo Zarra (22) Alfredo Di Stefano (22) pic.twitter.com/gWiQcbp49m

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 8, 2015"