Yaya Toure Return Offers Manchester City Champions League Hope vs. Barcelona

Manchester City face a desperately difficult task on Wednesday evening when they attempt to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League last 16, but the return of midfielder Yaya Toure will certainly improve their chances. 

The Spanish giants were superior to City in every area of the pitch in the first leg at the Etihad three weeks ago, but Joe Hart’s last-gasp penalty save from Lionel Messi means they travel to the Camp Nou with a shred of hope.

If City can get through, it would be the first time they have made it to the quarter-finals in the club’s history.

Clearly, City need to find something extra to trouble Barcelona, and with Toure returning after a three-match European suspension, they will be looking to him to provide some brilliance in midfield.

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Toure was sent off for a moment of madness in the 2-1 home defeat to CSKA Moscow during the group stage, the nadir of City's European campaign this season. It was a shambolic night, one that left them rooted to the foot of the table and likely condemned to a group-stage exit.

However, two wins in the final two games of Group E saw City through. Two late Sergio Aguero goals saw off Bayern Munich, and a wonderful performance in Rome gave them an all-important 2-0 victory.

They were City’s most important European nights since they returned to the biggest stage in 2011, and Toure missed out due to his own petulance and frustration. He, perhaps more than anyone in the squad, will feel he has a point to prove in the Camp Nou.

Manuel Pellegrini would be well-advised to give him some extra freedom. A three-man central midfield of Fernando in the holding role, and Fernandinho and Toure in front of him, with the Ivorian given licence to break forward, would be City’s best option.

It’s a mix that offers balance, control and attacking intent. City were far too easy to play against in the first leg, with Barcelona pouring through the midfield almost at will. Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta comfortably dictated play.

Toure’s return doesn’t completely guarantee City will fare better, but he is a unique talent, a player some feel is the most important in City’s squad. His blend of speed with the ball, power, intelligence and passing accuracy makes him one of the best in the world.

Speaking at his press conference in Barcelona on Tuesday evening, Pellegrini said the game presents his side with an opportunity to show the world they are European heavyweights possessing the capability to hurt the very best.

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“It is a good opportunity for our team, and the only way to prove it is to beat one of the biggest teams in Europe—and we have that chance,” he said. “We must try to do it, we are not going to play against an easy team, but I’m sure that if the three ties we played before were 11 v 11 [against Barcelona in the last two seasons], it could have been different.”

Things certainly need to be different for City on Wednesday than they were in Manchester three weeks ago. They need to believe they can go there and win, and their big players, like Toure, must perform at their very best.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.