FC Barcelona draw Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League
FC Barcelona will face Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League following the draw held this Monday lunchtime in Nyon. The exact dates of the two legs will be announced shortly. The first leg will be played on 18, 19, 25 or 26 February at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and the return on 11, 12, 18 or 19 March at Camp Nou. Manchester City were one of the strongest teams in the runners’ up group of the draw, having only finished second to Bayern on goal difference in Group D, despite beating the Germans in Munich. However, this will be the first time that City have played in the last 16 of the Champions League, despite their enormous wealth and quality squad.
Barcelona (FCB).- The first leg will be played on 18, 19, 25 or 26 February at the Etihad Stadium and the return on ’11, 12, 18 or 19 March at Camp Nou.FC Barcelona will face Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League following the draw held this lunchtime in Nyon. The exact dates of the two legs will be announced shortly.
Strong opponents
Manchester City were one of the strongest teams in the runners’ up group of the draw, having only finished second to Bayern on goal difference in Group D, despite beating the Germans in Munich. Coached by Manuel Pellegrini, a manager with plenty of La Liga experience – the 2011/12 Premier League champions spent big last summer, bringing in Fernandinho, Jovetic, Navas, Negredo and Demichelis to an all ready star studded squad.
First time in last 16
This will be the first time that City have played in the last 16 of the Champions League, despite their enormous wealth and quality squad, having been knocked out at the group stages in the last two seasons, but after their great win in Munich, there can be no doubt of their European calibre this time around.
Great home form
City are currently fourth in the Premier, three points behind leaders Arsenal – who they thrashed 6-3 at the weekend at the Etihad, where they have won all eight league matches so far this campaign, averaging 4.4 goals a game.
In contrast, their away form has been patchy, wining twice, drawing twice and losing against Cardiff, Villa, Chelsea and Sunderland.
Touré Yaya set to return to Camp Nou
Alongside other world class players such as ‘Kun’ Agüero, David Silva, Samir Nasri or Edin Dzeko, City can also call on ex-Barça hero Touré Yaya, who will be facing his old teammates three and a half years after leaving.