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Manchester City travels to Barcelona trailing 2-0 against the Blaugrana after suffering a home defeat a two weeks ago. It was Lionel Messi from a penalty kick in the first-half who brought Barca the lead, and Daniel Alves who scored a late goal for sealing a 2-0 away win. It was one of rare home defeats for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who now eye famous comeback.
Can It be done ? We must wait to see, but the odds are in favour of the Catalan club despite a not so good atmosphere in the locker room, knowing they fall to third place in La Liga, trailing by the first placed Real Madrid 4 points. Barcelona slipped probably in the worst possible time, and it happen twice in the last three games. First they lost on tour against Real Sociedad, then enrolled a home win against Almeria, and then they lost again this weekend , again on tour, but this time against Valladolid.
Barely anyone expected that, but it seems things are not so good in Barca locker room. A lot of rumours lately are pointed towards the Catalan club, and the fans are not so happy with the games, their club presents recently. On of the biggest pick, is the manager, Tata Martino, to whom fans resent a constant mix-up in the first lineup. Martino has tried to change that the last weekend in Valladolid, when the first played except Andres Iniesta (personal reasons) but Barca still managed to lose.
It would be interesting to see what Martino will decide for this game, knowing they must defend 2-0 lead against the Manchester City side, who certainly will want a revenge. Except Iniesta, Carlos Puyol is out for this game.
Regarding the visiting team, the same situation is present. Difference is, the Citizens have to hunt 2 goals , at the Camp Nou. Namely, the Carling Cup winners, one again were knocked from the FA Cup, by Wigan Athletics, which surprised even themselves. This result certainly will shake up the players, in front of the Champions league encounter, but a time for the grief they dont have , as they need to forget is as soon as possible if they plan to even have a chanche of the Spanish miracle.
Manchester City doesn’t play so good away as they play at home, but Pellegrini’s side are one of the top scoring teams in Europe, and with an early lead, the game would become interesting. As for the situation with their playing staff, Pellegrini can not count on injured striker Jovetic and suspended defender Demichelis.
Team Probable lineups
Barcelona FC : Valdes – Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba – Busquets, Xavi, Fabregas – Sanchez, Neymar, Messi
Manchester City FC : Hart – Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov – Silva, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Silva – Aguero, Negredo
Match Prediction : With both teams looking to bounce back from the weekend’s defeats, and knowing that one of the top scoring teams in Europe has to score at least two goals anything but over 2,5 goals in this game, would be a suprise.
Team News & Interviews
Barcelona trained on Tuesday (11th March) ahead of the second leg of their last 16 clash with Manchester City in the Champions League. Barca lead 2-0 from the first leg.
Possession will be key against Man City – Mascherano
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino and defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano held pre-match news conferences on Tuesday (11 March) before the Catalan club host Manchester City on Wednesday (12 March) in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie.
Kompany ‘very excited’ ahead of Barcelona second leg
Manchester City look to come back from two goals down at the Nou Camp.
Everyone must be at their best against Barcelona – Kompany