Lionel Messi and Daniel Alves punished 10-man Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium. City had set up well in an attempt to soak up Barcelona pressure and catch them on the break. The hosts kept on pressing but they failed to make the most of their opportunities. Fernandinho's return from injury allowed manager Manuel Pellegrini to deploy five across the middle with Alvaro Negredo operating as a lone striker.

The tone for the first half was largely of Barcelona possession and expert City defending but City also broke out, threatening through Alvaro Negredo. After 14 minutes largely on the back foot, but with Barca yet to create a clear-cut chance, Vincent Kompany picked out Alvaro Negredo with a long ball. The forward controlled the ball well but Mascherano managed to clear. Kompany then beat Valdes when the ball flew in from a corner but after a scramble he got back to clear his line. Negredo caused more trouble in the box after Navas crossed from the right but the Swedish referee penalised him for a foul on goalkeeper Valdes. At the other end Joe Hart saved well from a Xavi shot.

In the second half Barcelona seemed to step up a gear. Messi burst through on goal and Demichelis desparately slid in and brought him down. The first contact seemed to be outside the box but the ref pointed to the spot and gave Demichelis his marching orders. Messi calmly stroked home the penalty down the centre as Hart dived to his left. Pellegrini sent on Joleon Lescott to reinforce the defence but knew to well damage limitation was not an option and also introduced Samir Nasri. The visitors could of really took hold of the tie shortly after attemptswith by Xavi and Alves.

City then managed to break but Gael Clichy wasted an opening and a well-struck Silva volley was clutched by Valdes. Pellegrini with his last throw of the dice brought Dzeko on for Negredo and he had a late chance but was harshly penalised for a foul before Alves then got behind the defence and fired past Hart.

It will be a very tough test for City to now go to the Nou Camp but on one of City's biggest nights in Europe we can all sit back and be proud that we were even there.

Photo: Action Images

ALessonInPride added 15:04 - Feb 19 Ref was shocking, cant argue it was a sending off but it WAS outside the box and even before that it WAS a clear foul on Navas.
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