At the third time of asking City finally advance beyond the group stages of the Champions League. On Tuesday night in this highly anticipated fixture Manuel Pellegrini's City will take on Barcelona. After two failed attempts we are finally here in the last 16. Both teams come in to this game with positive domestic results, with City's fantastic 2-0 win over Chelsea in the F.A. Cup while Barcelona put six past Rayo Vallecano.
Team News
Alvaro Negredo who has been suffering from an arm injury and started on the bench against Chelsea should lead the line for City with maybe Silva and Jovetic playing in advanced midfield roles. Samir Nasri should make a return to the starting line-up after he came off the bench to score on Saturday after a five week lay off due to a knee injury. Javi Garcia who also returned from injury and put in a superb performance against Chelsea should also start. Sergio Aguero (Hamstring) and Matija Nastastic look very unlikely to make a return while Pellegrini has confirmed that Fernandinho has trained today and will make a return.
Midfielder Xavi was rested for the Rayo game but is expected to be recalled while Neymar (ankle injury) who came off the bench to score against Royo may have to settle for a bit part again.
Stats
- Barcelona's next draw will be their 100th in UEFA competition. They have conceded 248 goals in the European Cup.
- Manchester City were the team FC Barcelona invited to play in their 75th anniversary game in 1974 and Barça themselves were the guests for the inaugural game at City's new ground in 2003.
- Manuel Pellegrini's teams played against Barça 18 times in the league, winning 4 games, drawing 2 and losing the other 12.
- On matchday four Ãlvaro Negredo became the first City player to score a UEFA Champions League hat-trick.