Manchester City and Barcelona - Combined XI

In the most highly anticipated clash in the Champions League last 16, Manchester City host Barcelona on Tuesday night. Whether Manuel Pellegrini’s free-scoring juggernaut can be toppled by the precise passers and possession masters Barça is surely set to be an intriguing affair. City will surely need to take a lead to the Camp Nou if they are to have any hope of progressing, but can Barcelona contain them at the Etihad?

The duo boast some of the world’s finest talent within their ranks but if you could create an XI based on both of their squads, who would make the cut? We’ve put our heads together here at Squawka and here is the result, fashioned in a 4-3-3 formation. This eleven is based on current form and injury status.

Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes

Although the 32-year-old’s stay at the Camp Nou looks like coming to an end in the summer he remains one of Europe’s best goalkeeper. With 7 saves per goal conceded this season, if Valdes does decide to move on he will have no shortage of suitors.

Right-back: Dani Alves

The Brazilian epitomises the modern full-back. The 30-year-old has an abundance of pace and loves to get forward, but is more than reliable in defence. He also possesses a good delivery from the wide areas and is amongst the world’s best in his position, almost operating as a winger at times. A handful for any team in the world. Pablo Zabaleta is undeniably solid, but Alves’ attacking instinct and goal threat helps him win the number two shirt.

Centre-back: Vincent Kompany

The first Manchester City player to make it into the side is captain Kompany. The Belgian has struggled with injuries this season but easily claims a place in the side ahead of his rivals. His organisation and leadership skills are vitaland he is the perfect candidate to marshal the back line. At 27 years of age he is approaching his peak and it is no surprise he has been linked with a move to the Spanish giants in the past, such is his confidence in possession. A Champions League pass accuracy of 94% would not look out of place in Barcelona’s team but puts him top of the pile at City.

Centre-back: Gerard Pique

Although the Spaniard’s reputation is not what it was a couple of years ago when Barcelona were at the height of their powers he remains a solid and skilful option. An ever present in the group stages, he boasted a passing accuracy of 92%, completed 80% of his take ons and lost just 33% of his tackles. If he still plied his trade in England there would be a petition to move him into a defensive midfield role, with the view having a player so comfortable on the ball in defence is a waste, but he provides the thrust from the back that props up Barcelona’s passing moves. Pique alongside Kompany would be hard to beat by even the world’s best attacks.

Left-back: Jordi Alba

One of the least experienced in Barcelona’s defence is the 24-year-old Alba. Despite being bought from Valencia he looks like he is a graduate of La Masia academy. Similarly to Alves he thrives on getting forward, which both would be able to do given the solidity of our centre-back pairing. He has slotted seamlessly into Barca’s style and formation and will only get better. While City’s left sided defenders may feel aggrieved to have been left out, it is Alba’s attacking threat that has edged out Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy.

Defensive Midfield: Sergio Busquets

Busquets is not the most likeable of players, but he fulfils his role in Barcelona’s midfield with ruthless efficiency. He is excellent at sniffing out danger, breaking up play and slowing the game down when his side needs a breather. He feeds the more creative talents with pin point yet simple passes and is the fulcrum that transforms defence into attack. When the 25-year-old was rested for the 2-1 loss against Ajax in the group stage it was unsurprising as Gerardo Martino does not have another player in his squad that can match Busquets in his preferred role. Few players in the world can.Centre Midfield: Xavi

Having broken into the first-team in 1998, Xavi has made over 400 appearances become a Barcelona great in the process. Despite playing in all six fixtures this term, he has been involved in four tackles, two take ons and a single foul. Far from a combative midfielder, Xavi looks after the ball and finds passes that other players cannot see. With Busquets behind him the team has solidity, allowing him to thread the tapestry of tiki-taka together. He is 34 now and entering the twilight years, but his experience and calmness gets him in ahead of younger compatriot Cesc Fabregas and the energetic Fernandinho.

Centre Midfield: Yaya Toure

The former Barcelona midfielder is an absolute colossus in the middle of the park and cannot be overlooked for a spot in this midfield. He brings power, presence and strength in abundance and can drives his team forward yet also get back and defend. Toure possesses the engine to get from box-to-box and on his day is virtually unplayable. Only Kompany can better his pass accuracy of 91% at Citybut the Ivorian has also added goals to his game this year, with one long range strike against Viktoria Plzen to his name so far.

Lionel Messi and Neymar

Right Midfield: Neymar

Barcelona’s summer signing for a huge £48 million is a Samba star in the making. Serious doubts remained over his ability until an excellent showing at the Confederations Cup and he has settled into life at Barcelona well. This campaign represents his first taste of European competition and only Xavi and Andres Iniesta created more than the nine chances he managed, which included two assists. The 22-year-old also netted an impressive hat trick in the 6-1 demolition of Celtic, while his take on success of 64% suggests he has not left his confidence and trickery in Santos.

Left Midfield: David Silva

Another Spaniard makes it into the side, but he wears the sky blue of City. Silva is one of the players assured of a place in Spain’s World Cup squad that plays outside of his homeland. He provided one assist in the group stages and scored the crucial first goal in City’s comeback against reigning champions Bayern Munich at the Allianz arena, which ensured qualification for the first time in the club’s history. At 28 he is approaching the peak of his powers and has the vision to unlock the tightest defence with a stunning through ball. With such a formidable midfield force behind him, his creative talents would flourish.

Forward: Lionel Messi

It seems like he has been around forever but the magical Argentine is only 26. Despite facing an extended spell on the sidelines for the first time in his career earlier in the season, there is still not one better to fulfil the interchangeable free role that he would be afforded in this formation. Despite making just three appearances in the group stages Messi scored six goals, including an opening day hat trick against Ajax and a vital brace against Milan that guaranteed qualification.

Questions have started to be asked of Messi for the first time during his absence, expect him to answer them immediately. While the inclusions and omissions in this eleven may spark debate in some quarters, Messi’s darting runs, exquisite passing, outstanding finishing ability and sheer class makes him the first name on this team sheet whoever you ask.