Barcelona vs. Manchester City: Picking a Combined XI on Form This Season

Manchester City travel to Barcelona this week for a crucial Champions League last-16 second-leg tie with Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

City trail 2-1 from the first leg and face an uphill battle to secure a quarter-final place. Given their form, which has seen them lose five of their last 10 matches in all competitions, it seems unlikely they can get the result they need. However, this, after all, is football, a sport that continually surprises us, and Joe Hart's penalty save from Lionel Messi at the end of the match at the Etihad has left City in with a chance.

But based on form this season, who would make a combined Barcelona-City XI? Here is one possible lineup, in a 4-3-3 formation, but feel free to use the comment section below to make your own suggestions.

Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen

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This was a closely contested position, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen just came out on top.

Joe Hart, the City goalkeeper, suffered a crisis of confidence early last season, but after being taken out of the side by Manuel Pellegrini in order to rest and refocus, he has been much improved. And this season, with Willy Caballero arriving to provide some competition, Hart has shown flashes of his former self.

However, he remains suspect on crosses, a problem that has caused City to suffer on a few occasions.

Ter Stegen has been solid in his first season at the Camp Nou and just about edges this contest.

Right-Back: Pablo Zabaleta

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Probably the weakest area overall.

Dani Alves played poorly for much of the first half of the season—a liability defensively and not contributing as much going forward as he has in previous seasons—but has improved of late.

Pablo Zabaleta, by his own extremely high standards, hasn't been quite as good as we have come to expect, but he remains one of the finest full-backs in the game and gets the nod here. Just.

Centre-Back: Gerard Pique

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City have struggled somewhat at centre-half, particularly given Vincent Kompany's form and fitness concerns.

Martin Demichelis has been their best performing centre-back, but Gerard Pique, Barcelona's classy ball-playing centre-back, starts in this XI.

Centre-Back: Javier Mascherano

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When one thinks back to just how effective Javier Mascherano was in the holding role for Liverpool (and still is for his country), it seems remarkable he has been transformed into a centre-back by Barcelona.

But he's good—very good—and his partnership with Pique is excellent.

Left-Back: Jordi Alba

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The easiest choice of them all. City's left-backs—Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov—have both spent periods this season completely out of form, while Jordi Alba has been absolutely superb for Barcelona.

He has pretty much everything a modern-day full-back needs. He's quick, can attack and defend, has intelligence in possession and uses the ball well.

Midfield: Yaya Toure

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It may have been a poor start to the season for Yaya Toure, but he has since reaffirmed his class with a string of impressive showings.

He remains a unique talent, a midfielder with a set of attributes no other player can match. His power, pace, running ability, intelligence and pinpoint passing make him arguably the most valuable player in the City squad.

Midfield: Ivan Rakitic

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Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic has had a fine season. He's excellent in possession, rarely losing the ball, and picks up little spaces between the lines that cause huge damage to the opposition.

He shone in the first leg against City, too, and deserves his place in this side.

Midfield: David Silva

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There simply has to be room for City's creative genius, David Silva.

Very few players can match his quality. He possesses great technique, a wonderful footballing brain and an ability to see things on the pitch others can't.

By far the most creative player in the City side, he remains a truly world-class talent and has been the Blues' best player this term.

Forward Right: Lionel Messi

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What more can be said about Lionel Messi that hasn't already? He is the best to ever play the game, and this season has been further proof of his enduring quality.

Six hat-tricks and 43 goals is another remarkable haul for a player who continues to redefine how to play the game.

Forward Left: Neymar

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Messi's partner in attack these days for Barcelona is Neymar, the supremely talented 23-year-old who has impressed since his arrival at Camp Nou in 2013.

He has incredibly quick feet and displays a speed of thought that almost defies belief. Capable of taking players on with ease, Neymar is wonderfully skilful.

Striker: Sergio Aguero

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Luis Suarez has found his form recently and looks excellent, but he struggled initially after moving from Liverpool and completing a four-month ban.

Sergio Aguero, on the other hand, has been one of the shining lights in a poor season for City. Despite suffering yet more injuries this campaign, he has 23 goals in 32 games. A lethal striker capable of finishing from almost any angle, he would be the perfect man to lead a combined Barcelona-City XI.