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The Argentine recognised that Luis Enrique has made the Catalans a more direct, counter-attacking outfit, while backing his former mentor to succeed at the Etihad Stadium

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has affirmed that the Catalan giants have changed since Pep Guardiola ruled on the bench, as he prepares for Tuesday's reunion. 

Guardiola was shown up on his Camp Nou return earlier in October, as Messi ran riot with a hat-trick to down Manchester City 4-0 in the Champions League. 

And while Luis Enrique's side prepare for the return clash at the Etihad Stadium, the Argentine mused on the differences between his former and current coaches. 

“In reality, the system of Barcelona is something that everyone knows," the forward explained to the Sun. 

“I can say we are one of the few clubs that have it, but each boss has different things and applies them as he sees fit.

“We have not noticed massive changes but, yes, some — in that with Luis maybe now we are a bit more aggressive when we attack at speed, whilst with Pep we used counter-attacks less.”

Despite that inauspicious display at Camp Nou, Messi is convinced that Pep will make City a better team during his tenure. 

“City are a great team. They have always been a great team each year we have faced them but now, by having Pep, they will grow more through his work," he said.