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| Manchester City Claudio Bravo been shown a straight red card for handling a ball outside his 18-yard box |
Claudio Bravo endured a nightmare return to Camp Nou as he was sent off during Manchester City’s 4-0 Champions League defeat to Barcelona. City has always been reduced to 10 men or more over their last four defeats to Barca in a five Champions League meeting for this two side. If you ask me, I’d say it’s quite unfair for the English side.
City were always going to struggle following the dismissal of Claudio Bravo when 1-0 down, while Barca losing Jeremy Mathieu to a red card late on did not stop them grabbing a fourth.
A huge result for the Catalan giants, with Messi, returning to the starting line-up after a groin injury, netting a hat-trick. The mercurial Argentina won a penalty which Neymar failed to convert before assisting the Brazilian minutes later to complete the rout.
In the 53rd minute, the former Barcelona goalkeeper whose arrival at Guardiola’s behest prompted Joe Hart’s Torino loan exile handled Luis Suarez’s shot having failed to clear danger outside his area.
Sergio Aguero being stationed on the visitors’ bench hogged the immediate pre-match attention, but Luis Enrique had to delve into his subs early on when Jordi Alba limped off to be replaced by Lucas Digne. The Spain left-back was second best defending a pair of Raheem Sterling runs early on before a likely tormentor was on hand to puncture the visitors’ promising start.
Barca are now on the brink of qualification with three wins from three, while City stay fourth, one point clear of third-placed Gladbach.