Barcelona vs. Manchester City: Tale of the tape

Here, we examine which side has the advantage in various departments on the pitch (and off it) heading into Wednesday's meeting of Luis Enrique's Barcelona and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, arguably the most anticipated Champions League bout so far this season.

Goalkeepers

Like a granny that stubbornly takes her own teabags to her cronies' houses, Guardiola was only going delving into Barcelona to replace Joe Hart, a popular goalkeeper economically purchased from Shrewsbury Town.

"We needed a keeper like Claudio or (Marc-Andre) ter Stegen - we got Claudio and Ter Stegen stayed," Guardiola confessed to reporters on Tuesday.

Bravo's had an inauspicious start to life in England, habitually getting hounded down by Premier League attackers when he has the ball at his feet and infamously flapping the ball to Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his debut in a Manchester derby - but he's still an important part of what Guardiola's implementing at City.

And, despite being fielded in some important cup matches, Ter Stegen was ultimately deployed in less matches by Luis Enrique at Barcelona and has had a 2016-17 term hampered by injuries and errors up until this point.

Advantage: Manchester City

Defenders

It's hard to look beyond Barcelona's wealth of experience and depth in defence when comparing the two teams.

Although Javier Mascherano hasn't been entirely convincing to begin the campaign, Gerard Pique has been at his best; expertly marshalling things at the back and always a danger when Barca has a set-piece. And in a current footballing environment where a quality full-back is a hot commodity, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto are among the continent's best - and certainly better than what City has on either side of a back four.

On early evidence of his work under Pep's tutelage, however, John Stones can be a leading centre-half over the next decade.

Advantage: Barcelona

Midfielders

At 32, Andres Iniesta still poses a strong argument to be among the top five footballers in the world and, just as he does with pockets of space on the pitch, would dominate Guardiola's revolution in Manchester.

Sergio Busquets, despite being an odorous character at times, is firmly among the elite too - a player who was languishing in Barcelona's B team until Guardiola fast-tracked him into first-team matters at the Camp Nou in 2008.

But City's options in the middle of the park go unrivalled by most competing in the Champions League. Kevin De Bruyne is a player of remarkable intelligence and one that you would suspect could put in a seven-out-of-ten performance in goal if Guardiola needed it. David Silva is reborn in a more combative role, Ilkay Gundogan's transition into English football has been seamless, and Fernandinho, the player identified by his manager as one who "can play 10 positions," is the spark plug of City's engine.

Advantage: Manchester City

Forwards

When not on the sidelines with some rip or pull, Sergio Aguero is one of the most ferocious finishers and sweetest exhibitors of smart movement in the game. He's grossly overlooked in the debate for individual awards - he's never been named in a PFA Team of the Year in over five years in England.

The options beyond that do not befit a side looking to regularly gatecrash the latter stages of Champions League football, however. Kelechi Iheanacho is an extremely promising talent, but very raw. Next in line would be an attacking midfielder or winger playing as a false nine.

When compared to what Barcelona has, the gulf is immeasurable. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar comprise of arguably the greatest strikeforce ever seen in club football.

Advantage: Barcelona

Manager

There's only one winner. The man who's adored at the Camp Nou and already has the City faithful doe-eyed and stuttering over his innovative tactics, man management, and capacity to look nice in a v-neck jumper: Pep Guardiola.

Advantage: Manchester City