Barcelona are at home and take a valuable 2-nil lead into tonight’s second leg, but they should be wary of a Manchester City outfit back to full strength. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6.45am AEDT.
City have to overturn a 2-nil deficit away from home if they hope to progress past the round of 16 in the Champions League.
City, however, are coming off a surprise 2-1 defeat to Wigan in the FA Cup and will need to improve considerably if they hope to trouble Barcelona.
At least City find themselves back at full strength, thanks to the return of key striker Sergio Aguero.
Aguero featured in the loss to Wigan and also in Argentina’s friendly against Romania.
The Argentine should be back to full fitness after a month off with a hamstring injury and is the key player that could turn this tie on its head.
Barcelona will be well aware of Aguero’s class and will be thinking twice of pressing City.
With Samir Nasri, David Silva, Aguero and Jesus Navas all in pretty good form, City possess the attacking players to really hurt Barcelona.
With this in mind, expect Barcelona defenders Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba and Dani Alves to really remain on their toes in a bid to thwart City’s firepower.
City’s primary concern of course will be stopping Lionel Messi from dictating terms – as he usually does at the Nou Camp.
The Argentine superstar is coming off below-par performances against Romania in a friendly and in the surprise 1-0 La Liga defeat to Valladolid last week and will be keen to get back to his best form on the big stage against City.
Messi often plays his best football at the Nou Camp and his class, along with the performances of Andres Iniesta and Xavi, could prove the key in securing Barcelona’s passage to the quarter-finals.
Prediction: Barcelona to win 3-2
clayts
Guest
Could almost be time for a new Messi pic. That one is on pretty much every article involving anything to do with Spanish football, Messi, Barca, Champs League, FIFA 14 etc.
Alan
Roar Guru
A second Premier League team exits the Champions League in as many nights as City are eliminated by Barca. City started the second half very brightly and only Valdez with a superb save denied Dzeko from opening the scoring. Barca though got better as the half wore on and eventually Messi opened the scoring. City though were denied a penalty to Dzeko and then Zabaleta was sent off for protesting. Kompany then scored a late equaliser before Alves scored the winner. Good effort from City but Barca too good. Thanks for your company tonight and join us next time on The Roar Barcelona 2 City 1
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Barcelona 2 City 1
Alan
Roar Guru
Iniesta very composed with the ball on his feet rounds up Hart before calmly passing to Alves who shoots first time. His shot was deflected into the back of the net. Barcelona 2 City 1
Alan
Roar Guru
GOAL BARCELONA - Iniesta superb sets up Alves who finds the back of the net! Barcelona 2 City 1
Alan
Roar Guru
On replay though, it looks like a good decision from the linesman. City get a deserved goal. Corner was swung in and Kompany pounced on a header that he diverted to the back of the net Barcelona 1 City 1
Alan
Roar Guru
GOAL CITY - Kompany has scored despite looking off-side big time! Barcelona 1 City 1
Alan
Roar Guru
88' - Roberto comes on for Fabregas. Barca through to another quarter-final. Pressure eased on Martino somewhat. Needs better results in La Liga though. Messi loses the ball to Kompany. Corner for City. Barcelona 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE BARCELONA - Alves and Messi combine well to set-up Fabregas out wide whose shot is well saved by Hart! Barcelona 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Yeah Mike I thought Kompany was sent off but then it was revealed that Zabaleta was sent off. 84' - City with a corner now. Milner now with space out wide. His cross cleared away. Another cross but he slips and Alexis is away but he loses control of the football while attacking Barcelona 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Fabregas nearly find Alexis with a nice through ball but Hart claims possession. Alves out wide now finds Iniesta but his shot blocked and its goal kick for City Barcelona 1 City 0
Mike
Roar Guru
Did I just see TWO reds!? Or are my eyes deceiving me?
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Any thoughts on the Dzeko incident here? Alexis comes on for Neymar. Huge controversy given that Zabaleta was also sent off for protesting Barcelona 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
RED CARD CITY - Zabaleta sent off for protesting too much here and City down to ten men. Controversial call there. Dzeko should have won the penalty there! Barcelona 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Toure does well to win possession but his through ball intercepted by Alba. Barca dictating terms now. Good ball to Dzeko out wide here as he gets in to the area and big calls for a penalty! Barcelona 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Navas on for Nasri now. Xavi with a shot but his freekick is blocked by the wall. City have been deflated by the goal from Messi. City were playing very well early in the second half. Barca controlling things nicely now. Barcelona 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Barcelona enjoying their best period of the match now. Messi with an attempted through ball to Neymar before Kompany produces a foul on Neymar. Yellow card for Kompany. Alves with a great run now and he too is fouled. Messi can score from this range Barcelona 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE BARCELONA - They are starting to turn it on now the home side as Fabregas finds Messi with a great lofted pass before the Argentine neatly sets up Xavi whose shot is saved by Hart! Barcelona 1 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Messi once again the man on the scoreboard for Barca. He has looked the most likely to hurt City, as he hit the post earlier in the game. He has given Lescott a torrid time in defence. Alba with a low cross to Messi but Lescott this time intercepts the ball. Barcelona 0 City 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Fabregas' through ball should have been intercepted by Lescott but his feet let him down there as Messi secures the ball before beating Hart easily. City need three goals now to get through here Barcelona 0 City 0