Manchester City’s preseason meeting with FC Barcelona is fast approaching!
Presented by Joie, Andrée Jeglertz’s side will lock horns with the reigning Champions League winners on Saturday 15 August at the Joie Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00 (UK).
It will be our second friendly in preparation of the upcoming campaign where we will be aiming to retain our Barclays Women’s Super League and FA Cup crowns while also competing on the European stage.
The Blues have faced Barca on a number of occasions throughout the years, including two encounters at home.
Here’s how those matches played out…
CITY 2-1 BARCELONA | MARCH 31 2021
City hosted Barcelona at the Joie Stadium for the first time in a Champions League quarter-final second leg tie in March 2021.
The Blues, however, entered the meeting looking to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first knockout encounter away from home.
But Gareth Taylor’s side started brightly in an attempt to climb the mountain to reach the last-four when Janine Beckie stung the palms of Sandra Panos from a tight angle.
As the hosts pushed for a route back into the tie, City opened the scoring through the American who tucked the ball home after the ricocheted into her path after an Alex Greenwood-delivered corner.
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Following the interval as the match ebbed and flowed, Barca equalised when Graham Hansen collected the ball and teed up Asisat Oshoala who converted from close range.
Undeterred, Taylor’s team immediately pressed on and Ellen White was soon taken down inside the area – handing the hosts the opportunity to regain our lead from the spot.
And Sam Mewis stepped up and coolly slotted home, handing City an unlikely lifeline with 20 minutes to play.
Although it proved not quite enough to reach the semi-final following our 3-0 defeat in the first leg, we took solace from becoming the first side to beat Barcelona that season.
After qualifying for the prestigious European competition by beating Paris FC over two legs, City’s first meeting in the Champions League group stage was a tantalising meeting with the holders of the trophy, Barca.
And the Blues marked our return after a four-year absence with a statement 2-0 win at the Joie.
The encounter was played at a high intensity from the off with both teams hitting the post during the opening exchanges and we opened the scoring 10 minutes before half-time through Naomi Layzell.
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Following a corner where the ball pinballed around the area, the defender was on hand to poke home, sending a record City crowd into raptures.
City continued to ask questions of the Champions League heavyweights after the interval with Miedema inches from making a clean contact on an Alex Greenwood free-kick inside a minute of the restart.
But after weathering a Barca storm, we doubled our advantage when Layzell added an assist to her name when playing an inch-perfect pass into Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s feet who then applied the finishing touch by sweeping home.
A soccer player in black training gear controls a ball during a practice session on a grass field, with teammates in the background.
Training: Building towards Barca
Group of people in Manchester City jerseys celebrating and smiling with hands on each other's heads in a lively setting. Inside City logo and Etisalat logo visible.