Manchester City star John Stones could not wait to face Barcelona’s fearsome MSN and he held his own
£47.5million defender can leave Spain with his head held high despite 4-0 defeat
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AT THE end of the tunnel in the Nou Camp stands a small chapel.
Many centre-backs will have been there to offer a silent prayer before facing the fearsome MSN — Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
Not John Stones, though. He could not wait to get out on to the pitch.
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The £47.5million Manchester City man revealed this week he has been dreaming of this since he was a kid.
It turned into a bit of a nightmare for Pep Guardiola on his return to his spiritual home — particularly after the red card for Claudio Bravo.
But at least Stones can board the flight home with his head held high.
He would not look out of place if this were his permanent home — and there were strong reports that the Catalan giants wanted that to happen last summer.
Yet a tentative call to his agent, Paul Martin, in the close season told them his heart was set on playing under Guardiola.
It worked both ways.
Stones was the player Guardiola wanted above any other this summer — and you can see why.
So comfortable with the ball at his feet and confident bringing it out of defence, he is a perfect fit for the Spaniard’s Etihad revolution.
So far he has come through well — but he must have known this was another step up for him.
Maybe Stones could have chatted to club captain and fellow centre-back Vincent Kompany about nights at the Nou Camp.
When City were last here in March 2015, it was the most one-sided 1-0 defeat you are ever likely to see.
Kompany and Martin Demichelis were chasing shadows all night — and it was only thanks to a super show from Joe Hart that City were not embarrassed.
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If you are facing Messi, perhaps it is best to do it alongside two of his international team-mates.
Nicolas Otamendi and Pablo Zabaleta have worked with the Nou Camp hero in the Argentina side for many years.
But talking about him is one thing, stopping him is something else entirely.
It looked straightforward enough early on. Guardiola was screaming at Stones and Otamendi to press high — squeezing the space he knows Barca’s front men can exploit.
And they were keeping the hosts at arm’s length until a horrible slip by Fernandinho gifted Messi the chance to put Barca ahead.
There was nothing Stones or anyone could do about that.
For the next 15 minutes or so it was backs to the wall. Yet shortly before half-time, the England centre-back fluffed a golden chance to equalise when he headed wide from David Silva’s free-kick.
He knew he should have at least hit the target and he was nearly made to pay as Messi sent Suarez through the middle, only for Bravo to come to the rescue.
The Chilean then let his team down with his red card.
Playing against Barca with ten men is a tough task — as City know only too well. That is now four times in five meetings between the sides it has happened.
Two more goals from Messi followed — both after individual mistakes from midfielders. And Stones was turned easily as Neymar supplied the fourth.
Guardiola said he would learn a lot about where his City team are from this game.
Stones will have learnt a lot, too.