MANCHESTER CITY VS BARCELONA PREVIEW

THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RETURNS!!!

MANCHESTER CITY VS BARCELONA PREVIEW

A titanic confrontation as Europe’s two supreme attacking forces face off for a place in the quarter-finals.

After the disappointment of previous European campaigns, Manuel Pellegrini has been able to do what Roberto Mancini never could: replicate City’s irrepressible domestic form on the continental stage. It will not be lost on Barcelona that in the group stages City were more than a match for Bayern Munich, who so comprehensively dismantled the Blaugrana in last season’s semis.

Manuel Pellegrini's men finished runners-up to holders Bayern Munich, which resulted in them being paired with four-time winners Barcelona for a place in the quarter-finals of the competition. It's a tie that many regard to be the most eye-catching of the round.

In terms of the starting lineup, Sergio Aguero has returned to training following a short stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. However, if he does feature, then it's likely to be as a substitute. 

The same goes for Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, who has been suffering with a thigh problem.

However, there is more positive news for Pellegrini in the form of Samir Nasri, who returned from a five-week layoff with a knee injury to score against Chelsea in the FA Cup on Saturday. 

Consequently, the Frenchman could be reinstated to the team, particularly if City's Chilean boss opts to use a 4-5-1 formation rather than a 4-4-2 system.

Should Pellegrini go for the former of those two strategies, then Alvaro Negredo is likely to feature as a lone frontman, with Nasri and David Silva in particular offering support from advanced midfield roles.

Barca have plenty of European pedigree, having won this competition three times in the last eight seasons, but since the departure of Pep Guardiola their aura of invincibility has slipped. A shaky group-stage campaign, including a humbling defeat to ten-man Ajax, confirmed that Tata Martino’s side no longer bestride the European landscape quite as colossally as they once did.

But Barcelona have abundant experience of big European nights like these, while Pellegrini’s arrivistes have none. And Lionel Messi and co remain a fearsome attacking contingent, with ten goals in their last two games underlining Barcelona’s continued potency. City will not fear their visitors. But they underestimate them at their peril.

As for Barcelona, they were boosted by Neymar's appearance against Rayo Vallecano last time out. 

The striker had been expected to miss this clash with an ankle injury, but he came off the bench to score in the 6-0 win over Rayo, although he may have to settle for a place among the substitutes again.

Midfielder Xavi was rested for the Rayo rout, but coach Gerardo Martino is expected to recall the 34-year-old for the trip to England.

These two clubs have met on six previous occasions, but all of those were friendly encounters. Barcelona were in fact the first team to visit the Etihad Stadium for a football match back in 2003, as City came out on top 2-1 thanks to goals from Nicolas Anelka and Trevor Sinclair.

STATS ; 

Of the last ten Champions League meetings between English clubs and Spanish clubs, English clubs have won 4, with their Spanish counterparts claiming just 2 wins.

Lionel Messi has scored 6 goals in his last 6 games against English opposition.

Manchester City average 3.5 goals at home this season, the equal highest in Europe’s top five leagues, while Barcelona average 2.25 goals away.

The last two goals scored by English clubs against Spanish clubs in the Champions League have both been own goals (Inigo Martinez for Real Sociedad, and Sergio Ramos for Real Madrid, both against Manchester United).

In their last match (against Rayo Vallecano), Barcelona recorded more goals (6) than crosses (5), the first such instance in La Liga this season.

RECENT FORM ; 

Man City: WWWLDW

Barcelona: WLWWDW

POSSIBLE STARTING LINEUPS ; 

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy; Garcia, Toure; Milner, Silva, Nasri; Negredo

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Bartra, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Fabregas; Sanchez, Pedro, Messi

KICK OFF: Tuesday, 20:45HRS