What happened...
City suffered their first defeat in this year’s UEFA Youth League after a late strike from Carles Perez split the sides.
Simon Davies’ side will be amazed to come away from the Mini Estadi with nothing to show for it after dominating proceedings in front of the watching chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano.
A combination of narrow misses and excellent goalkeeping from Barcelona’s Sergi Puig meant that the Blues failed to put their opponents to the sword.
City pinned their opponents back immediately, creating two guilt edged chances within the opening 15 minutes.
First, Paolo Fernandes weaved through the defence before firing narrowly wide of the top left corner.
Then neat interplay between Jadon Sancho and Rodney Kongolo on the edge of the box ended as Sancho’s shot was blocked by a convergence of Barcelona defenders.
City continued to look comfortable at one of development football’s most famous stadiums.
When Sancho, the youngest player on the pitch, cut in from his left wing position and curled a shot just wide of the far post, Simon Davies’ side were starting to worry they may rue these missed first half chances.
Fernandes and Brahim Diaz went close in the early period of the second half as City’s frustration grew.
The sucker punch came with a few minutes to go as Carles Perez fired a left footed shot low and hard past Daniel Grimshaw to consign City to a harsh defeat.
What it means...
City have two wins and one loss so far and sit second in Group C of the UEFA Youth League.
The Premier League 2 side visit Southampton on Monday 24 October before facing Liverpool at the Academy Stadium on Friday 28 October. Visit the ticket office for information on how you can support our future.
Man of the match...
Jadon Sancho – Making his first start in the UEFA Youth League against one of the biggest names in Europe, Sancho certainly wasn’t overawed.
The 16-year-old had the beating of Guillem Jaime all afternoon and created two of City’s biggest chances in a match they dominated.
How they lined up...
Daniel Grimshaw retained his place as City’s UEFA Youth League goalkeeper.
Demeaco Duhaney, Cameron Humphreys, Tosin Adarabioyo and Jacob Davenport were the defence protecting Grimshaw’s goal.
Sadou Diallo sat at the base of the midfield behind Rodney Kongolo and Paolo Fernandes while Aaron Nemane and Jadon Sancho flanked Brahim Diaz.
Substitutes: Haug, Latibeaudiere, Kigbu, Sarmiento, Foden, Patching, Dilrosun
