Enrique relishing Guardiola test

Guardiola will bring his new charges back to the club where he made a name for himself as both a player and a manager on Wednesday night.

The 45-year-old came through the ranks at the Nou Camp, enjoying 10 years as a Barcelona regular before leaving to finish his playing career abroad.

Guardiola returned to start his coaching career with the Blaugrana and was eventually handed the head coaching position in 2008, leading to a period of unprecedented success for the club.

The Spaniard guided Barcelona to three La Liga titles, two Champions League titles, two Copa del Reys and two Fifa Club World Cups before leaving in 2012.

Guardiola has returned to take on his old club since then with Bayern Munich but without much success, losing 3-0 in the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2014.

The now Man City chief will hope for better luck on Wednesday night when the two clubs meet in the group stages of the Champions League, with Barca top of the table after two wins out of two.

The Spanish champions are 9/20 to get the better of City, who have lost the last four previous meetings but are 6/1 to end that run with a win. The draw is 17/4.

With home advantage and a fully fit Lionel Messi back in his squad, Enrique’s men are expected to get the better of City.

However, the former Spain international says he will not underestimate City given they are now under the guidance of a great manager.

“For me [Guardiola] is the best current coach. I love attacking coaches like him. Since pre-season you can see the influence of Guardiola on City.

“He has a big part to play in his teams and they will want the ball, the same way that we do. There are games against opponents in which possession is not that important. It will be against Manchester City but that does not mean that who has more possession will win.

“It is a good chance [to move ahead in the group] but then we have to go to Manchester. It is the third game in the group and when this is over there will be still three games left. Nothing will be decided yet.”

City are 3/1 to win Group C, while Barcelona are 1/4 to end up top of the standings.

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