Manchester City avenged their 4-0 hammering at Barcelona a fortnight ago with a sensational 3-1 win over Luis Enrique’s side at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi had given the visitors the lead after 21 minutes, but Sergi Roberto’s error allowed City a way back into the game, when his crossfield ball was intercepted by Sergio Aguero, laid on to Raheem Sterling, who found Ilkay Gundogan six yards out to tap home.
Pep Guardiola’s side then seized the initiative in the second half, with Kevin De Bruyne’s fantastic free-kick giving them the lead, before Gundogan’s second 16 minutes from the end sealed a famous victory for City, and their first over Barcelona in six attempts.
https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/793557223586791424
In what was an excellent performance from Man City, one we haven’t seen from them in the Champions League in recent seasons, that moment of brilliance from De Bruyne got many people talking on Twitter during and after the match.
His free-kick from just outside the box got the better of Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and many praised De Bruyne’s fantastic effort on social media…
https://twitter.com/Ne5kel/status/793704468416045056
https://twitter.com/fadzniSazali/status/793644184271933440
https://twitter.com/KieranGohil95/status/793598191681822720
https://twitter.com/natalssofia/status/793710492237852672
However, some were less than impressed with the free-kick, suggesting that ter Stegen should have comfortably saved it given that it was on his side…
"Kevin De Bruyne's stunning free kick?!? Really? Keeper should of caught it and rolled it out to a full back.
— Liam Matthewman (@LiAmTheEggman) November 2, 2016
Ter Stegen should have caught De Bruyne's free kick never mind saved it. It wasn't near the corner on the side he was covering. #MCIFCB ⚽ pic.twitter.com/H814MAibQv
— Derek Donohoe (@Derek_Donohoe) November 1, 2016
Don't even rate that De Bruyne free kick that highly. Very poor goalkeeping imo. #fcb #mcfc
— Matt (@MatthewBurford) November 1, 2016
Nonetheless, it wasn’t just the free-kick that gained praise from the fans, De Bruyne’s overall performance was sensational, and rightly commended by many…
https://twitter.com/salvachinoo_/status/793568197924364288
Masterclass performance from Kevin De Bruyne. Arguably the best premier league player.
— M (@Musa_Stamper) November 1, 2016