Pep Guardiola is all too familiar with Tuesday's opponents, Barcelona, where he created one of the greatest football teams in the history of the game. The Spaniard also represented the club for eleven years as a player but will need to ensure his new City side enable five key components to beat his former team.

After such an impressive start to the season, Guardiola's new-look City  stagnated and failed to secure a victory in six matches before last Saturday's victory over West Brom. Except for Tottenham, no team outplayed City during that period, and self-inflicted issues have caused their downfall.

The Champions League suffers no fools and Barcelona are an entirely different animal to what Guardiola faces weekly in the Premier League. Any sloppiness or costly errors will be capitalised on by Barcelona and to ensure this doesn't occur, Pep has to make sure City comply with these five things.

Individual errors

Football Soccer - FC Barcelona v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Group C - The Nou Camp, Barcelona, Spain - 19/10/16
Manchester City's John Stones reacts after a missed chance
Reuters / Albert Gea
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Individual mistakes are killing the Blues' chances of dominating the Premier League at the moment. Likewise, in Europe, City 's silly errors are costing them goals at crucial stages.

Kolarov against Celtic, Stones against Southampton, the list goes on. If they are to beat Barcelona they must ensure mistakes are kept to a minimum, as the deadly trio of Suarez, Messi, and Neymar will punish Guardiola's men.

If City can achieve such a pure performance, then it increases their chances of victory drastically.

Keep their discipline

Claudio Bravo

City have now suffered four red cards in their five meetings with Barcelona, and each time the red card has proved significant in the balance of the match.

Nolito, in particular, will be highlighted as the Spaniard recently returned from a three-match ban for violent conduct.

If City are hoping to ensure victory, Guardiola's players must leave the field with eleven players. They have always matched Barcelona when they are adequately represented.

Key players performing

Pep Guardiola and Sergio Aguero

Far too regularly against Barcelona, City have had key players go missing at crucial stages. For City to achieve a victory, Guardiola's players must prove their status as some European football's best.

You can guarantee Barcelona's marquee players produce at their highest level, and City will need to match them to gather three crucial points in Group C.

Sergio Aguero, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne looked inspired against West Brom and Guardiola hopeful they can bring that form into tonight's clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Attack in numbers

de Bruyne Champions League

At the beginning of the season, City were averaging three goals per game. Hwever, since their recent slump, that figure has dropped to 2.3.

Recent home games with Southampton and Everton have witnessed City become stagnant in front of goal, but against Barcelona, they must ensure they are clinical when attacking with numbers.

Barcelona's infamous MSN trio will damage City if they receive the right service. City will need to counteract the trio, by ensuring their deadly quartet of Nolito, De Bruyne, Sterling and Aguero hurt Barcelona when presented with the opportunity.

Defend better than usual

Nicolas Otamendi

If you wish to contain Barcelona, you must first ensure the defence is solid - Messi, Suarez and Neymar are the deadliest trio ever witnessed in Champions League football.

City have thrown away crucial points this season because of dodgy and sloppy defending, which is very unlike a Guardiola team.

Since Pep has reverted to three at the back, City have looked a better team defensively, and Guardiola must ensure they continue their recent form in that regard.