Another Failure for English teams on European Nights?

Barcelona came to the Etihad this week to play against a team that dominates opposition on the same ground day in and day out in the Premier League, Manchester City.
But honey, this was The Champions League and the opposition was one of the best sides in football.
And so it unfolded the way it always does on European nights on English soil. The English team sits back, puts men behind the ball ad defends in numbers. This strategy would probably work against the lesser known teams in Europe but this was Barcelona.
The Catalans controlled the game in midfield and unleashed their tiki taka style of football while City sat back and defended. Pelligrini might raise a hue and cry about the refereeing but it was only a matter of time for Barcelona to stroke. You cannot defend against players like Messi for 90 minutes.
Consider the last minutes of the game where City swarmed into the Barcelona half. They created chances, played in long balls, got men in the box and suddenly Barcelona did not look as convincing. Sadly, this risk taking appetite came after being two goals down. Too late in the night for City and Pellegrini.
Possibly, the return leg at the Nou Camp and City attacking from the whistle with Aguerro back in the ranks would see some goals scored from the English club.
Switch to Arsenal and Bayern. Arsenal had 8 shots on goal and Bayern had almost thrice the number, 26. The Gunners fans would remember Arsenal’s victory in Germany over Bayern. The stats read reverse that time.
Again another English team guilty of staying back and defend against Bayern. The Germans have Robben who can rip apart defenses with his speed and agility. You cannot possibly contain such forwards for long. To add to that when you have your goalkeeper sent off, you do not what to do next. You just hope that the opposition does not score.
European Nights are not won by just defending. The team needs to go in with an attacking mindset especially at home where the crowd is behind you.
Time and again English teams have faltered on big European nights, not due to lack of quality but due to lack of faith in their abilities.
If you do not believe that attacking is the best form of defense in the modern game, just watch the return legs of the two matches. Arsenal and City will throw men forward in trying to salvage the two goal lead and win the tie – considering the quality they have in attack, it might be possible but considering the opposition it does look a bit far fetched.