Stefan Ortega Moreno, Cole Palmer and Julian Alvarez also start the game, with Kyle Walker taking the captain’s armband.
Teams
CITY: Ortega, Walker (c), Gomez, Dias, Phillips, Lewis, Bernardo, Palmer, Foden, Mahrez, Alvarez
Subs: Ederson, Carson, Stones, Cancelo, Gundogan, Haaland, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bobb, Mbete, Knight, Wilson-Esbrand
Barca: Pena, Alba, Pique, Kounde, Sergio (c), Ferran, Kessie, Roberto, De Jong, Raphina, Aubameyang
Subs: Ter-Stegen, Dest, Araujo, Dembele, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Memphis, Christensen, Eric, Abde, Balde, Gavi, Pablo Torre, Tenas
Formation
City rarely start in anything other than 4-3-3, but often don’t resemble anything like 4-3-3 after kick-off!
This starting XI is difficult to predict with Rico Lewis capable of playing right-back or holding midfielder.
If he starts at right-back, Walker will likely partner Ruben Dias in central defence with Gomez left-back.
Then, Phillips would assume his natural holding role with Bernardo and Palmer completing the midfield three and Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Alvarez up front.
Barca name a strong starting XI with Frenkie de Jong, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raphina and Ferran Torres all included.
Robert Lewandowski is on the bench.
Expect Entertainment
Both sides have barely got into their domestic league campaigns, but each side will treat this fixture with the respect it deserves.
And be sure of one thing - neither will want to lose!
For Barcelona, it is a good gauge of where head coach Xavi’s rebuilding project is at.
The Catalans have spent heavily in the summer as they attempt to become a force to be reckoned with again in Europe and in La Liga.
City will use the game to give minutes to sharpen match fitness and Pep Guardiola will be keen for his team to put on an exhibition at his former stomping ground.
It will be competitive, but good natured and enjoyable.
Stats
- This is the 13th time we have faced Barcelona in both competitive and non-competitive games. Our record is W3, D1, L9.
- Our last friendly meeting was in August 2009 when we won 1-0 at the Camp Nou to claim the Joan Gamper Trophy. Martin Petrov was City’s goal-scorer.
- We have played Barcelona six times in competitive games, winning one and losing five.
- We won our most recent meeting with the Catalan outfit, a 3-1 Champions League Group Stage win at the Etihad Stadium in November 2016. Lionel Messi gave Barca the lead, but City fought back with two goals from Ilkay Gundogan and one from Kevin De Bruyne.
- Barcelona have two former City players in their ranks in Eric Garcia and Ferran Torres.
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