City have finally shown their true colours

Last updated : 02 November 2016 By Footymad

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Just a fortnight after being thrashed 4-0 at the Nou Camp, City turned the tables on Barca by coming from behind to beat the Catalan giants 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

It was City's first victory over Barca in six Champions League attempts over the past two-and-a-half years and represented a new landmark in their European development.

De Bruyne, who scored with a sublime free-kick between two Ilkay Gundogan strikes, said: "I think we tried to play the same way we did in Nou Camp, but there we made some mistakes.

"Obviously if you make mistakes you lose 4-0.

"Here we made fewer mistakes and won 3-1. Barca are a very good team but I think we did really well and showed what we have got.

"The first half hour was a bit nervous but after that we found the key to put them under pressure.

"I think from the moment we scored (to make it) 1-1 we did really well. They didn't create a lot of chances any more.

"I don't think they knew how to break us in the second half and we could have scored more goals. Obviously it is a really well-deserved victory."

The result, given the quality of the opposition and brilliance of the performance, was undoubtedly one of City's greatest European nights

As a statement of intent in the Champions League its significance is potentially even greater than anything achieved on last season's run to the semi-finals.

De Bruyne, who was involved in memorable victories over Sevilla, Borussia Monchengladbach and Paris St Germain last term, was unwilling to compare performances.

He said: "It's difficult to tell. I have only played a couple in Europe with City - but obviously it was a good one."

For the Belgian the focus has already switched to the Premier League leaders' rather more low key visit from Middlesbrough on Saturday.

He said: "Obviously everyone will talk about it because it was Barcelona but if you lose at the weekend it doesn't matter.

"We have to do the same as we did in these two games and try to win against Middlesbrough to go into the international break with a good series and try to maintain top spot in the league."

Source: PA