Five ways Manchester City can beat Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night

Manuel Pellegrini's side face a stiff test when the Catalan giants come to town this week, but shouldn't be too fearful

Yep, it's back. After a couple of months in hibernation, the Champions League returns to our screens this week, ushering in the new year with football and a hefty flagon of Gazprom with which to wash it down.

Happily, the scheduling Gods have deemed fit to bless us with one of the most exciting fixtures of the second round: Manchester City vs Barcelona.

This, of course, is no easy task for Manuel Pellegrini's side. The Catalans, as you may have heard, can be quite good on their day. But they're certainly not invincible.

Here are five ways in which City could expose them to gain a first-leg advantage:

Free Yaya Toure

Jettisoned by Barcelona in 2010, the Ivorian will likely feel he has a point to prove on Tuesday night. He has improved markedly since he arrived in Manchester, blossoming from a solid if uninspiring defensive midfielder into the all-singing, all-destroying wrecking ball he is today.

Roberto Mancini deserves much of the credit for bringing him out of his shell, but Pellegrini's willingness to let him roam has proved a masterstroke. If he initiates Beast Mode at the Etihad, Xavi and his pals will struggle to contain him.

Raise the tempo

City proved in the away game against Bayern Munich that they can cause problems for any team on their day. The key factor in that performance was their high tempo and pressing, which forced the Bundesliga champions into uncharacteristic errors. A similar tactic could also work against Barcelona, who do not like to be hassled out of their usual rhythm.

Trust in Jesus            

Blaugrana left-back Jordi Alba is a defender only in name. The Spaniard spends much of his time bombing down the flank, getting up to overlap his winger. This tends to leave space in behind, which could be exploited if Pellegrini decides to start Jesus Navas.

The former Sevilla man has the pace and energy to stretch the game on the right, while still doing his fair share of defensive tracking. You get the feeling his directness could be City's best bet as they seek to expose the Barça defence.

Shackle Lionel Messi

Easier said than done, naturally, especially as the Argentine appears to be hitting form again after an injury-hit few months. He's bagged five goals in his last three matches and will be raring to prove a point to those who continue to cast doubt on his ability to perform against English sides.

But if anyone can thwart the twinkle-toed master, it might just be Vincent Kompany. City's captain is himself hitting his stride again after a disrupted season, but certainly has the power and discipline to keep tabs on Barcelona's key man. Although whether he can also keep an eye on Neymar, Iniesta, Pedro, Alexis Sanchez and the rest is another matter entirely.

Ask a favour of Lady Luck

City fans should cross their fingers and hope that Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero are fit to feature. The latter would be a big miss but could be replaced by Edin Dzeko or Stevan Jovetic. But if the Brazilian is out, Pellegrini will have to decide between Javi Garcia and Martin Demichelis in midfield. Shudder.