The Manchester City Project

Man City fans were in good voice amongst the 94,123 crowd at the Nou Camp. They watched on as City beat the European Champions by a single Martin Petrov Goal and lifted the traditional pre-season friendly cup – the Joan Gamper trophy.

Vlad Weiss was named in the starting line up alongside Martin Petrov. Vlad Weiss had an excellent game on the wing, frequently showing signs of brilliance and he did not look fazed nor out of place amongst the likes of Lionel Messi, Ibrahimovic, Puyol and Yaya Toure. Based on his preseason form Vlad Weiss could well expect to gain some needed Premiership experience against Wolves on Saturday.

Martin Petrov who has been linked with a move away from Manchester City recently scored again to increase his chances of breaking into the City starting XI. Barcelona controlled the early stages of the match until City broke away after a Barca attack on 27 minutes. Stephen Ireland threaded a ball through to Martin Petrov who coolly slotted home.

City almost scored again just before half time when Petrov struck a freekick into the area and Gareth Barry watch his header fly past the post.

City’s back four stood up to a Barcelona backlash in the second half, with Dunne in good form at the back. Barcelona’s efforts resulted in a Jonathan shot hitting the cross bar and a Messi shot that went just wide.

Shay Given pulled off a number of fine saves to underline his importance in the team. Given saved brilliantly with his feet to deny a debut goal for Ibrahimovic. On this form Given will provided a firm foundation for City’s assault on the Premiership Elite this year.

In the final moments of the game Craig Bellamy had the chance to increase City’s lead after another Stephen Ireland pass. However Bellamy shot just wide.

Richard Dunne lifted the trophy infront of 94,000 fans at the Nou Camp – a major confidence builder ahead of Saturday’s first home game of the season against Wolves.



Match Facts
Barcelona 0
Manchester City 1 (Petrov, 28)

Wednesday 19 August 2009, 9:15PM
Att: 94123 Pre-Season Friendly

FC Barcelona: Pinto; Montoya (Alves, 46), Puyol (Marc Bartra, 30), Fontas (Pique, 65), Maxwell; Sergio; Yaya Toure (Jonathan, 46), Gudjohnsen (Keita, 46); Jeffren Gai, 54), Bojan (Ibrahimovic, 46), Pedro (Messi, 46). Unused subs: Mino, Henrique, Muniesa, Thiago

Manchester City: Given; Onuoha, Dunne, Kolo Toure (Ben Haim, 46), Zabaleta (Garrido, 65); Weiss, Wright-Phillips (Tripper, 81), Ireland, Barry Etuhu, 69), Petrov; Tevez (Bellamy, 65). Unused subs: Taylor, Vidal, McGivern