Barcelona vs Man City: team news, TV channel & why City are playing at the Nou Camp

Manchester City will travel to the Nou Camp on Wednesday evening to face Barcelona in a charity match for Juan Carlos Unzue.

The timing of the game comes with some uncertainty given both team’s league campaigns have only just begun.

Despite concerns, Pep Guardiola has justified the decision to fly to Catalonia for the fixture, implying it’s not just for the charitable cause, but match fitness.

"The players who don’t play against Newcastle for example, or John [Stones] who hasn’t started so far this season, the players with a lack of minutes are going to play but the guys who play at Newcastle are going to play too,” he said.

"It’s perfect. The best way to take rhythm is playing games. Training is nice but the best way is playing games and the guys who didn’t play much minutes in these two games are going to play and after in September with games every three days everyone is going to play."

The Sky Blues come into the game on the back of a memorable 3-3 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday, leaving them second in the table after three games.

As for Barcelona, they have momentum coming into the clash after beating Real Sociedad 4-1 away from home.

When is Barcelona v Man City?

The match between the European clubs takes place on Wednesday, 24 August at the Nou Camp, kick-off is 8:30pm.

Why is Barcelona vs Man City taking place?

The reason behind the game is to raise awareness for those suffering with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with former Barcelona goalkeeper Juan Carlos Unzue being diagnosed with the progressive neurodegenerative disease over two years ago.

All monies generated from the fixture will go to Fundación Luzon, a not-for-profit organisation created by Francisco Luzon, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2014.

Is Barcelona vs Man City on TV?

The match will be shown live on City+ via the Sky Blues’ website, their app and on TV. A subscription will be required to watch the clash with a monthly charge of £2.99.

Latest team news

City made two changes against Newcastle from their 4-0 win against Bournemouth with John Stones and Bernardo Silva replacing Ruben Dias and Riyad Mahrez in Guardiola’s starting XI.

Dias and Mahrez dropped to the bench on Tyneside, but the former was used as an early substitute, replacing Nathan Ake early on.

In regards to Wednesday, as mentioned by Guardiola above, rotation is likely to occur. New summer signing Kalvin Phillips returned to the bench on Sunday, as did academy graduate Cole Palmer.

Guardiola has confirmed that due to his early withdrawal, Ake won’t feature against Barcelona.

“I think it’s his groin,” the Sky Blues boss told the media after the game. When asked whether the Dutchman could feature on Wednesday he said: “Absolutely not.”

As for Barcelona, Sergio Busquets was suspended for their clash with Sociedad, while summer signing Jules Kounde is yet to be registered for their La Liga squad, meaning he could feature to gain match fitness.