Manchester City are better under Pep Guardiola than they were under Manuel Pellegrini, says Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. Guardiola returns to the Nou Camp as City manager on Wednesday for their Champions League tie and will come up against centre-back Pique, who was a member of the Barcelona team which won 14 trophies between 2008 and 2012 under the Spaniard.
Barca beat City four times out of four in the last 16 of the 2013/14 and 2014/15 competitions when Pellegrini was in charge at the Etihad.
Pique expects a tougher task on Wednesday night, saying: "Pep made a mark on all of us that were with him, there was a before and after. We understood football in a different way and he changed the history of the club.
"I only have complimentary words for him. He gave me the opportunity to come here and gave me everything.
"I think Manchester City is a different team from last year or the years they came here with (Manuel) Pellegrini.
"The style of play is different. They pressure [they put on you] is really high, they try to have the ball and create chances and I think they play like us because Pep Guardiola was here many years.
"He understands football the same way we do. It will be a really challenging game."
Barcelona hold a two-point lead over City at the top of Group C and they will be boosted by the availability of Lionel Messi after a groin injury.
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