Tuesday's B*l**x
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 8:47 amTHE BOLLOX
Manchester City v Barca: The key battles
WhoScored's Alistair Tweedale looks at the key battles which could decide Manchester City's Champions League clash with Barcelona.
Barcelona on Sunday advertised their supremacy over upcoming Champions League opponents Manchester City with an infographic on their website that might well have been an attempt to unsettle the team they will face on Tuesday night.
Barcelona's history makes them huge favourites for the match; they have been there before and will not get overawed by the occasion, while City have failed in their previous two campaigns on Europe's grandest stage.
The graphic contains tallies of previous honours, stadium capacities and social media influence, in each of which the Catalonian club dwarfed the nouveaux-riche Manchester side.
In terms of current performance, however, there isn't all that much between the teams. City are three points off top spot in the Premier League (with a game in hand) having scored 68 goals in 25 games, and have already won at Bayern Munich in the Champions League, in a group stage in which they obtained 15 points.
Barça, meanwhile, are second in La Liga to Atlético and ahead of Real Madrid only courtesy of their head-to-head record. In the Champions League, they won a tough group but slipped up at Ajax and an under-performing Milan.
There is certainly hope for City, particularly at the Etihad Stadium, and here we look at some of the key battles ahead of the clash.
Lionel Messi vs Vincent Kompany & Martín Demichelis
We all know Lionel Messi is pretty darn good, and his input will be as important as ever when Barcelona travel to Manchester. Generally speaking - and unsurprisingly - the side play better when he performs, and the space he is afforded could make all the difference.
Roaming free, Messi will drop deep to pick up possession, and marking duties will be passed on to City's midfielders as he does that. It will be interesting to see, however, how he fares when up front against Vincent Kompany and his likely partner at the back, Martín Demichelis.
Kompany is undeniably one of the best central defenders in the world, but his biggest assets - his strength and ability in the air - won't be tested much by Barcelona's tika-taka. Fleet-footed Messi will instead look to pass or dribble his way past the defence, having completed 3.3 dribbles per game in the Champions League group stages.
Kompany has only played twice for City in the competition, but was dribbled past on only one occasion. Having been beaten 0.8 times, on average, per appearance in the Premier League this season, he could prove a challenge for the Argentine.
However, in Luis Suárez, Liverpool have arguably the closest thing the English league has to Messi, and he beat the Belgian defender twice when he visited the Etihad. He might have failed to score, but maybe that is just the difference between he and Messi; the four-time world player of the year won't need asking twice.
Things could be even worse for Demichelis, whose turn of pace is probably his biggest weakness. Dribbled past more times per game (1.4) than any other centre-back in the Premier League, if Messi gets him one-on-one, there could be real trouble for City.
Yaya Touré vs Sergio Busquets
Yaya Touré has come in for some criticism of late, primarily for a propensity to wonder upfield and leave gaps in City's midfield. His defenders have said that up against Barcelona he won't make such absent-minded mistakes, but Manuel Pellegrini's side probably need to score here to stand a chance of progressing, and Touré will be vital going forwards.
The Ivorian is the fourth highest goalscorer in the Premier League this season and his lung-busting bursts could catch a comparatively less-pacy Barcelona midfield unawares.
Sergio Busquets, the man whose growing presence in the squad ultimately spelt the end of Touré's time at Barcelona, could thus come to blows with him in this clash.
Touré has averaged 1.8 shots per game in the Champions League this season, and while Busquets doesn't block many shots, his tallies for tackles (2) and interceptions (2.4) per game could see him thwart Touré before he gets a chance to shoot.
What is more, with an exemplary 94.5% pass completion rate, he will look to distribute quickly upfield for the likes of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and co. to exploit any gaps that might be left.
Alexis Sánchez vs Aleksandar Kolarov
Alexis struggled to live up to expectations at Barcelona after a big-money move from Udinese but has proven that if he had underwhelmed at first, it was little more to worry about than a slow start.
The Chilean has six goals and five assists in his last seven appearances for Barcelona, and is capable with both feet and thus able to go round the outside down the line or cut infield.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa have scored more goals in La Liga this season, while Sanchez also ranks just outside the top 10 for assists.
Kolarov is a very one-footed player, and may be uncomfortable tracking back against a quick player that is comfortable going either way. The Serb is a fantastic attacking threat, though, and with Sanchez's defensive contribution a statistically calculated weakness of his on WhoScored.com, there is certainly the opportunity for Kolarov to get forward and test the defensive shortcomings of right-back Dani Alves.
While Sanchez's domestic season has been such a roaring success, he is yet to score and has only one assist in the Champions League thus far and arguably struggles on the biggest stage.
Likely to be up against Kolarov, who has started four of City's six Champions League games, this could be one of the most interesting battles on show.
Messi, Neymar and Fabregas but Manchester City face 'worst Barcelona team in years', says Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has ramped up the pressure on Barcelona after launching a stinging attack on the Catalans ahead of their trip to Manchester City.
The Chelsea boss, who saw his side lose at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup over the weekend, claims the current Barca crop are the worst for 'many, many years'.
While Gerardo Martino's men haven't drawn clear in La Liga - enduring a three-way battle for the title with Real and Atletico Madrid - they still possess one of the most-revered squads on the continent.
They travelled to Manchester on Monday morning ahead of the Champions League last-16 first leg. Despite surrendering their European crown to Bayern Munch last season, they are still considered favourites to win it in Lisbon.
'Of course by history Barcelona is the favourite, but this Barcelona, this season, is showing that it is not the same in previous years,' Mourinho told ITV. 'Of course they have (Lionel) Messi, he is special, and they have more than him.
'But I think this is the worst Barcelona of many many years, so City have a chance.' Mourinho appeared more placid on the return to the Blues last summer but has been back to his prickly best in recent weeks.
The Portuguese has picked on City's spending and Arsene Wenger's fragility in a bid to win what are perceived to be 'mind games' in the race for the Premier League title.
Now he has opted to go for Barcelona. Even though a club almost untouchable in recent memory, cracks have formed since the departure of Pep Guardiola. They lost away at Ajax in November and endured a shock 3-2 defeat against Valencia at the Nou Camp earlier this month.
Although Mourinho's comments serve as a dig at Barca, they inadvertently heap unwanted expectation on Pellegrini ahead of Tuesday's meeting.
This is generally considered City's major opportunity at stamping a mark on Europe, and the manager said over the weekend: 'I don't have any fear about playing Barcelona, because this team has got to continue to develop the mentality to play against important, important teams, whether that's in the last 16, the quarter-final.
'I hope we see a very good match on Tuesday and I hope we can win at home.
'It's impossible to avoid Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich if you want to continue in the Champions League. So in one moment you must play against them. We play them in the last 16, so let's see what we can do.'
City ‘now bigger’ than rivals United
MANCHESTER — Manchester City, who face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, are now a "bigger club" than archrivals Manchester United, coach Manuel Pellegrini said on Monday.
The 60-year-old Chilean coach, in his first season at the Etihad Stadium, delivered the line straight-faced in reply to a question at a news conference when he was asked if a City victory over Barcelona would change the perception that United were the biggest club in Manchester.
"If we consider only this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it is ours," he said. "Basically the biggest club is now City, though we cannot forget the last few years."
Pellegrini, not normally as prone to barbed one-liners as managers, including Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho, may be factually correct regarding the form of United and City this season.
However, United’s achievements, which include winning the European Cup three times and 20 English league titles, totally dwarf those of City who have been English champions three times and are in the knockout round of the Champions League for the first time.
Pellegrini did say that even if City do eventually knock out Barcelona, they have some way to go before they can be considered among Europe’s elite as they could easily be knocked out in the next round of the competition.
City were dismissed as "noisy neighbours" in 2009 by then-United manager Alex Ferguson when they began to flex their new-found wealth following the investment in the club by Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi.
But they have certainly made more of the right noises than United since Ferguson’s departure at the end of last season.
They are currently third in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Chelsea with a match in hand, and have reached the Capital One Cup final and the FA Cup quarterfinals.
In contrast, United are seventh in the Premier League, 15 points behind Chelsea, and although they are still in the Champions League and face Olympiakos of Greece in the round of 16, they are out of the FA Cup and lost in the League Cup semis.
However, they have their own financial muscle, glamour and history to attract the best players in the world and come back strongly next season.
In the meantime, Pellegrini is enjoying the moment. "Of course, our supporters are happy this season," he said.
"We are still in four competitions, they enjoy watching the way we play and the goals we are scoring and we want to win every competition we are in. Of course, I understand where this club were 15 years ago, in the third division, and where it is now.
"But we can beat Barcelona in this round and go out in the next round and we have not reached all of our objectives yet."
Pellegrini also accepted that Barcelona pose the biggest threat yet to City’s ambitions of establishing themselves among the elite in Europe. "They are not just a one-man team called Lionel Messi," he said.
"They are a different team to the one that won the Champions League three years ago, sure, but they still have great players. We can only play them one way, the way we have played all season and cannot change our style to face them, although you have to consider Messi when you play against Barcelona.
"They are top of the Spanish League, in the Spanish Cup final and are still one of the most important teams in the world with the best player in the world. )."
City, who have netted 117 goals in all competitions this season and are the highest scorers in this season’s Champions League with 28, will miss dangerous striker Sergio Aguero on Tuesday.
Martino: "El City no es un mini Barcelona"
"Si nos quitan el balón nuestro plan es quitárselo. Si no se lo podemos quitar, mejor no presentarse a jugar el partido"
Un día antes del espectacular Manchester City-Barcelona, habló el Tata Martino. El técnico argentino, que compareció en rueda de prensa después de Piqué, dijo que no piensa que los de Pellegrini sean un 'mini Barcelona'.
· Posesión: "Si nos quitan el balón nuestro plan es quitárselo. Si no se lo podemos quitar, mejor no presentarse a jugar el partido. El que tenga menos la pelota es el que va a sufrir más".
"El que tenga menos la pelota es el que va a sufrir más"
· Objetivo: "Debemos mantener la posesión y buscar el gol. Son los dos objetivos que tenemos. Tener el balón es nuestra prioridad juegue quien juegue".
· El peligro del City: "Lo que más me llama la atención es su diversidad en la forma de atacar. Es un equipo muy difícil de controlar".
· ¿El City se parece al Barça?: "Tienen un perfil muy parecido al nuestro, pero quizá son un poco más directos. No son un mini Barcelona".
· Neymar: "Valoramos tenerlo sano. Ya veremos si sale desde el inicio o después. Haremos lo que pensemos que sea mejor".
"Que no esté Agüero es un problema menos para mí como entrenador del Barcelona"
· ¿Final anticipada?: "Nuestro cruce es el más parejo de octavos. Podría haber sido tranquilamente un cruce más cercano a la final. Los dos estamos bien".
· Agüero: "Es un problema menos para mí como entrenador del Barcelona. Como aficionado lamento su ausencia".
· Títulos: "De momento, tenemos garantizada la final de Copa y la Liga la vamos a pelear".
Former Man United defender Gerard Pique wants Barcelona to show how good they are at Man City
Pique never really got going during his time at Man United. Photo: PA
Former Man United defender Gerard Pique believes Barcelona can prove what a formidable force they still are during their Champions League tie with Manchester City.
Pique, the former Manchester United defender, accepts that Barca may have lost some of the aura of greatness that surrounded their European triumphs of 2009 and 2011.
Yet as leaders of the Primera Division heading into the first leg against City at the Etihad Stadium - albeit only on goal difference - Gerardo Martino's side are hardly a spent force.
Pique said: "I think that maybe they (opponents) don't fear us as before because in the last two years we did not win the Champions League, but I think they still respect us.
"We are a team with a lot of players who have won the World Cup, Champions Leagues and leagues.
"I think we can still be the best but we have to show to the world that we can do it.
"This is a great opportunity to show we are top players and can win here."
City star's crisis of confidence revealed
Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater has revealed that Blues midfielder Javi Garcia has struggled to cope with criticism from his own supporters this season.
Ex-Bermuda international Goater, who played for the club between 1998 and 2003, is still an important figure at City and has spent time at the academy of late as part of his coaching education.
The 43-year-old is well-placed to talk about taking the brunt of fans’ displeasure, having suffered months of negativity from the stands before winning over the home faithful and eventually earning cult status.
In the FA Cup fifth-round triumph over Chelsea at the weekend, Garcia enjoyed arguably his best game for the title hopefuls since joining from Portugese giants Benfica just over 18 months ago.
Goater believes the Spaniard is starting to turn a corner despite the crisis of confidence brought on by the scrutiny of supporters and several under-par performances.
“I know for a fact that Garcia has been well aware of all the criticism from fans and has taken it badly,” Goater told BBC Radio Manchester.
“However, he has been absolutely determined to stick with it.
“He is playing with such quality players and slowly but surely his confidence is coming back. A lot of the fans would have awarded him man of the match against Chelsea, so he is getting there.”
Manchester City v FC Barcelona WAGs gallery: Barca stars and their other 'Alves
On the field, their link-up play is legendary - but who do the Barcelona players play tiki-taka with when they take their tired legs home?
On the field, their link-up play is legendary - but who do the Barcelona players play tiki-taka with when they take their tired legs home?
Here’s a selection of the Barca WAGS who will be cheering on their other halves as the Catalan giants take on Manchester City in the Champions League at the Etihad stadium tonight.
1. Andres Iniesta married Anna Ortiz, 27 in July 2012. On the wedding day, guests drank Iniesta’s own wine – named after their daughter Valeria, two. Apparently their love was kindled when she looked after him during an injury. A specialist in professional make-up, image consulting, hairdressing, beauty and health.
2. Model and nutritionist, Antonella Roccuzzo,26, is Lionel Messi’s other half. Their son Thiago shares a birthday with three-year-old Kai Rooney. The childhood sweethearts met through Lionel’s best friend – her cousin – aged just five in Rosario, Argentina. Messi later moved away for his career but kept on meeting Antonella at Christmas – until 2009 when they became an item.
3. Popstar Shakira Ripoll,37, is with Gerard Pique. Rumours abound they first started dated during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after meeting on the set of the video clip of the song Waka Waka (Time for Africa) – the anthem of the competition. The Columbian gave birth to Milan Pique and the couple live in Barcelona, although she also has a home in LA. She holds the record for winning the most Latin Grammy’s. She’s good friends with Antonella – when they were pregnant they were snapped out shopping together.
4.Thaissa Carvalgo is Dani Alvez’s girlfriend. The 31-year-old actress from Brazil speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish, so language won’t be a barrier. The couple met at a 2012 party in Brazil, where she is a well-known soapstar. Apparently her moto is ‘never give up’.
5.Lorena Lopez, 21, is Christian Tello’s childhood sweetheart. Expecting a baby girl in March, they plan to call her Carlota. Lorena, who studied at the university of Barcelona, first got together with Tello in March 2007. They are known for their love of dogs – and each other – apparently Tello takes her to all dinners and holidays and they have matching tattoos. Apparently she is one of the quieter wags.
6. Daniella Semaan, 38, is girlfriend to Cesc Fabregas – 12 years her junior. Lebanese Daniella was married for nearly 13 years to her now ex-husband Elie Taktouk, with whom she has two children. Cesc and Daniella had a girl together, Lia Fabregas, last April.
7. Hayet Kebir, 29, grew up in the same neighbourhood as husband Eric Abidal. The Algerian-born former gymnastics champion has had three children and a tattoo of her husband’s name on her finger. Their daughter Meliana is named after the Algerian city Khemis Meliana near Algiers – the capital of Algeria.
8. There are reports that Neymar may have recently split from girlfriend Bruna Marquezine, an actress and fellow Brazilian. His team are surely hoping it won’t distract him from the big game. Active on social media, one post from Bruna when the relationship was on track read: “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May. I’d guess you’d say. What can make me feel this way? #myboy.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... rs-6720057
Manchester United scouting Eliaquim Mangala, City’s £37 target
Manchester United are scouting Eliaquim Mangala in Portugal this week, reports The Guardian. Mangala almost joined Manchester City during the January transfer window but they were not able to close a deal for the Frenchman. City is expected to make a second attempt at Eliaquim Mangala this summer. However, with David Moyes sending scouts to watch him play in person, it appears both Manchester clubs will be after him.
United have been keen on Mangala in the past; they scouted the 23-year-old central defender in a match against Atletico Madrid in the past. According to The Guardian:
“Moyes is hoping to overhaul United’s squad in the close season, with the manager being handed a mandate by the club to bring in at least four major signings.”
According to The People’s Person:
“Mangala is strongly considered to be one of the best defensive prospects in Europe and at 23, he has his entire career ahead of him which would make him a very solid long-term investment.”
[spoiler]Lara Alvarez - Sergio Ramos' girlfriend
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a summer move for AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, after talks with the player's agent this week. Daily Express
Manchester United have watched Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala, who has a £35m buyout clause in his contract, for a third time but face competition from Chelsea to sign the 23-year-old France international. Daily Star
Wolfsburg striker Ivica Olic is keen on a move to the Premier League and Stoke are a possible destination for the 34-year-old, whose contract expires during the summer. Stoke Sentinel
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is planning a £25m summer move for 27-year-old Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic. Caught Offside
Manchester United have scouted Sporting Lisbon's 21-year-old midfielder William Carvalho for a 12th time this season. Talksport
Norwich chief executive David McNally says the Canaries could move swiftly to replace manager Chris Hughton if their Premier League status is threatened. Daily Mirror
England's World Cup referee Howard Webb was removed from a website touting his after-dinner speaking for £4,000 a night after criticism of his performance in Liverpool's FA Cup defeat by Arsenal on Sunday. Daily Telegraph
Rivals Juventus and AC Milan are in an "open challenge" to recruit Manchester United's 27-year-old Portuguese midfielder Nani for next season. Tuttosport
Footballing legend Zinedine Zidane says his 15-year-old son Luca, has all the qualities to succeed. AS.com
Paris St-Germain manager Laurent Blanc says star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 32, will be his "best asset" in the Champions League last-16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen. L'Equipe
Atletico Madrid's Spanish midfielder Raul Garcia, 27, says he is happy with an extension of his contract until 2018. AS.com
Manchester United's players bumped into Argentine football legend Diego Maradona during their warm-weather training camp in Dubai. Daily Mirror
MORE BOLLOX SOON ...
Manchester City v Barca: The key battles
WhoScored's Alistair Tweedale looks at the key battles which could decide Manchester City's Champions League clash with Barcelona.
Barcelona on Sunday advertised their supremacy over upcoming Champions League opponents Manchester City with an infographic on their website that might well have been an attempt to unsettle the team they will face on Tuesday night.
Barcelona's history makes them huge favourites for the match; they have been there before and will not get overawed by the occasion, while City have failed in their previous two campaigns on Europe's grandest stage.
The graphic contains tallies of previous honours, stadium capacities and social media influence, in each of which the Catalonian club dwarfed the nouveaux-riche Manchester side.
In terms of current performance, however, there isn't all that much between the teams. City are three points off top spot in the Premier League (with a game in hand) having scored 68 goals in 25 games, and have already won at Bayern Munich in the Champions League, in a group stage in which they obtained 15 points.
Barça, meanwhile, are second in La Liga to Atlético and ahead of Real Madrid only courtesy of their head-to-head record. In the Champions League, they won a tough group but slipped up at Ajax and an under-performing Milan.
There is certainly hope for City, particularly at the Etihad Stadium, and here we look at some of the key battles ahead of the clash.
Lionel Messi vs Vincent Kompany & Martín Demichelis
We all know Lionel Messi is pretty darn good, and his input will be as important as ever when Barcelona travel to Manchester. Generally speaking - and unsurprisingly - the side play better when he performs, and the space he is afforded could make all the difference.
Roaming free, Messi will drop deep to pick up possession, and marking duties will be passed on to City's midfielders as he does that. It will be interesting to see, however, how he fares when up front against Vincent Kompany and his likely partner at the back, Martín Demichelis.
Kompany is undeniably one of the best central defenders in the world, but his biggest assets - his strength and ability in the air - won't be tested much by Barcelona's tika-taka. Fleet-footed Messi will instead look to pass or dribble his way past the defence, having completed 3.3 dribbles per game in the Champions League group stages.
Kompany has only played twice for City in the competition, but was dribbled past on only one occasion. Having been beaten 0.8 times, on average, per appearance in the Premier League this season, he could prove a challenge for the Argentine.
However, in Luis Suárez, Liverpool have arguably the closest thing the English league has to Messi, and he beat the Belgian defender twice when he visited the Etihad. He might have failed to score, but maybe that is just the difference between he and Messi; the four-time world player of the year won't need asking twice.
Things could be even worse for Demichelis, whose turn of pace is probably his biggest weakness. Dribbled past more times per game (1.4) than any other centre-back in the Premier League, if Messi gets him one-on-one, there could be real trouble for City.
Yaya Touré vs Sergio Busquets
Yaya Touré has come in for some criticism of late, primarily for a propensity to wonder upfield and leave gaps in City's midfield. His defenders have said that up against Barcelona he won't make such absent-minded mistakes, but Manuel Pellegrini's side probably need to score here to stand a chance of progressing, and Touré will be vital going forwards.
The Ivorian is the fourth highest goalscorer in the Premier League this season and his lung-busting bursts could catch a comparatively less-pacy Barcelona midfield unawares.
Sergio Busquets, the man whose growing presence in the squad ultimately spelt the end of Touré's time at Barcelona, could thus come to blows with him in this clash.
Touré has averaged 1.8 shots per game in the Champions League this season, and while Busquets doesn't block many shots, his tallies for tackles (2) and interceptions (2.4) per game could see him thwart Touré before he gets a chance to shoot.
What is more, with an exemplary 94.5% pass completion rate, he will look to distribute quickly upfield for the likes of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and co. to exploit any gaps that might be left.
Alexis Sánchez vs Aleksandar Kolarov
Alexis struggled to live up to expectations at Barcelona after a big-money move from Udinese but has proven that if he had underwhelmed at first, it was little more to worry about than a slow start.
The Chilean has six goals and five assists in his last seven appearances for Barcelona, and is capable with both feet and thus able to go round the outside down the line or cut infield.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa have scored more goals in La Liga this season, while Sanchez also ranks just outside the top 10 for assists.
Kolarov is a very one-footed player, and may be uncomfortable tracking back against a quick player that is comfortable going either way. The Serb is a fantastic attacking threat, though, and with Sanchez's defensive contribution a statistically calculated weakness of his on WhoScored.com, there is certainly the opportunity for Kolarov to get forward and test the defensive shortcomings of right-back Dani Alves.
While Sanchez's domestic season has been such a roaring success, he is yet to score and has only one assist in the Champions League thus far and arguably struggles on the biggest stage.
Likely to be up against Kolarov, who has started four of City's six Champions League games, this could be one of the most interesting battles on show.
Messi, Neymar and Fabregas but Manchester City face 'worst Barcelona team in years', says Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has ramped up the pressure on Barcelona after launching a stinging attack on the Catalans ahead of their trip to Manchester City.
The Chelsea boss, who saw his side lose at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup over the weekend, claims the current Barca crop are the worst for 'many, many years'.
While Gerardo Martino's men haven't drawn clear in La Liga - enduring a three-way battle for the title with Real and Atletico Madrid - they still possess one of the most-revered squads on the continent.
They travelled to Manchester on Monday morning ahead of the Champions League last-16 first leg. Despite surrendering their European crown to Bayern Munch last season, they are still considered favourites to win it in Lisbon.
'Of course by history Barcelona is the favourite, but this Barcelona, this season, is showing that it is not the same in previous years,' Mourinho told ITV. 'Of course they have (Lionel) Messi, he is special, and they have more than him.
'But I think this is the worst Barcelona of many many years, so City have a chance.' Mourinho appeared more placid on the return to the Blues last summer but has been back to his prickly best in recent weeks.
The Portuguese has picked on City's spending and Arsene Wenger's fragility in a bid to win what are perceived to be 'mind games' in the race for the Premier League title.
Now he has opted to go for Barcelona. Even though a club almost untouchable in recent memory, cracks have formed since the departure of Pep Guardiola. They lost away at Ajax in November and endured a shock 3-2 defeat against Valencia at the Nou Camp earlier this month.
Although Mourinho's comments serve as a dig at Barca, they inadvertently heap unwanted expectation on Pellegrini ahead of Tuesday's meeting.
This is generally considered City's major opportunity at stamping a mark on Europe, and the manager said over the weekend: 'I don't have any fear about playing Barcelona, because this team has got to continue to develop the mentality to play against important, important teams, whether that's in the last 16, the quarter-final.
'I hope we see a very good match on Tuesday and I hope we can win at home.
'It's impossible to avoid Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich if you want to continue in the Champions League. So in one moment you must play against them. We play them in the last 16, so let's see what we can do.'
City ‘now bigger’ than rivals United
MANCHESTER — Manchester City, who face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, are now a "bigger club" than archrivals Manchester United, coach Manuel Pellegrini said on Monday.
The 60-year-old Chilean coach, in his first season at the Etihad Stadium, delivered the line straight-faced in reply to a question at a news conference when he was asked if a City victory over Barcelona would change the perception that United were the biggest club in Manchester.
"If we consider only this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it is ours," he said. "Basically the biggest club is now City, though we cannot forget the last few years."
Pellegrini, not normally as prone to barbed one-liners as managers, including Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho, may be factually correct regarding the form of United and City this season.
However, United’s achievements, which include winning the European Cup three times and 20 English league titles, totally dwarf those of City who have been English champions three times and are in the knockout round of the Champions League for the first time.
Pellegrini did say that even if City do eventually knock out Barcelona, they have some way to go before they can be considered among Europe’s elite as they could easily be knocked out in the next round of the competition.
City were dismissed as "noisy neighbours" in 2009 by then-United manager Alex Ferguson when they began to flex their new-found wealth following the investment in the club by Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi.
But they have certainly made more of the right noises than United since Ferguson’s departure at the end of last season.
They are currently third in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Chelsea with a match in hand, and have reached the Capital One Cup final and the FA Cup quarterfinals.
In contrast, United are seventh in the Premier League, 15 points behind Chelsea, and although they are still in the Champions League and face Olympiakos of Greece in the round of 16, they are out of the FA Cup and lost in the League Cup semis.
However, they have their own financial muscle, glamour and history to attract the best players in the world and come back strongly next season.
In the meantime, Pellegrini is enjoying the moment. "Of course, our supporters are happy this season," he said.
"We are still in four competitions, they enjoy watching the way we play and the goals we are scoring and we want to win every competition we are in. Of course, I understand where this club were 15 years ago, in the third division, and where it is now.
"But we can beat Barcelona in this round and go out in the next round and we have not reached all of our objectives yet."
Pellegrini also accepted that Barcelona pose the biggest threat yet to City’s ambitions of establishing themselves among the elite in Europe. "They are not just a one-man team called Lionel Messi," he said.
"They are a different team to the one that won the Champions League three years ago, sure, but they still have great players. We can only play them one way, the way we have played all season and cannot change our style to face them, although you have to consider Messi when you play against Barcelona.
"They are top of the Spanish League, in the Spanish Cup final and are still one of the most important teams in the world with the best player in the world. )."
City, who have netted 117 goals in all competitions this season and are the highest scorers in this season’s Champions League with 28, will miss dangerous striker Sergio Aguero on Tuesday.
Martino: "El City no es un mini Barcelona"
"Si nos quitan el balón nuestro plan es quitárselo. Si no se lo podemos quitar, mejor no presentarse a jugar el partido"
Un día antes del espectacular Manchester City-Barcelona, habló el Tata Martino. El técnico argentino, que compareció en rueda de prensa después de Piqué, dijo que no piensa que los de Pellegrini sean un 'mini Barcelona'.
· Posesión: "Si nos quitan el balón nuestro plan es quitárselo. Si no se lo podemos quitar, mejor no presentarse a jugar el partido. El que tenga menos la pelota es el que va a sufrir más".
"El que tenga menos la pelota es el que va a sufrir más"
· Objetivo: "Debemos mantener la posesión y buscar el gol. Son los dos objetivos que tenemos. Tener el balón es nuestra prioridad juegue quien juegue".
· El peligro del City: "Lo que más me llama la atención es su diversidad en la forma de atacar. Es un equipo muy difícil de controlar".
· ¿El City se parece al Barça?: "Tienen un perfil muy parecido al nuestro, pero quizá son un poco más directos. No son un mini Barcelona".
· Neymar: "Valoramos tenerlo sano. Ya veremos si sale desde el inicio o después. Haremos lo que pensemos que sea mejor".
"Que no esté Agüero es un problema menos para mí como entrenador del Barcelona"
· ¿Final anticipada?: "Nuestro cruce es el más parejo de octavos. Podría haber sido tranquilamente un cruce más cercano a la final. Los dos estamos bien".
· Agüero: "Es un problema menos para mí como entrenador del Barcelona. Como aficionado lamento su ausencia".
· Títulos: "De momento, tenemos garantizada la final de Copa y la Liga la vamos a pelear".
Former Man United defender Gerard Pique wants Barcelona to show how good they are at Man City
Pique never really got going during his time at Man United. Photo: PA
Former Man United defender Gerard Pique believes Barcelona can prove what a formidable force they still are during their Champions League tie with Manchester City.
Pique, the former Manchester United defender, accepts that Barca may have lost some of the aura of greatness that surrounded their European triumphs of 2009 and 2011.
Yet as leaders of the Primera Division heading into the first leg against City at the Etihad Stadium - albeit only on goal difference - Gerardo Martino's side are hardly a spent force.
Pique said: "I think that maybe they (opponents) don't fear us as before because in the last two years we did not win the Champions League, but I think they still respect us.
"We are a team with a lot of players who have won the World Cup, Champions Leagues and leagues.
"I think we can still be the best but we have to show to the world that we can do it.
"This is a great opportunity to show we are top players and can win here."
City star's crisis of confidence revealed
Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater has revealed that Blues midfielder Javi Garcia has struggled to cope with criticism from his own supporters this season.
Ex-Bermuda international Goater, who played for the club between 1998 and 2003, is still an important figure at City and has spent time at the academy of late as part of his coaching education.
The 43-year-old is well-placed to talk about taking the brunt of fans’ displeasure, having suffered months of negativity from the stands before winning over the home faithful and eventually earning cult status.
In the FA Cup fifth-round triumph over Chelsea at the weekend, Garcia enjoyed arguably his best game for the title hopefuls since joining from Portugese giants Benfica just over 18 months ago.
Goater believes the Spaniard is starting to turn a corner despite the crisis of confidence brought on by the scrutiny of supporters and several under-par performances.
“I know for a fact that Garcia has been well aware of all the criticism from fans and has taken it badly,” Goater told BBC Radio Manchester.
“However, he has been absolutely determined to stick with it.
“He is playing with such quality players and slowly but surely his confidence is coming back. A lot of the fans would have awarded him man of the match against Chelsea, so he is getting there.”
Manchester City v FC Barcelona WAGs gallery: Barca stars and their other 'Alves
On the field, their link-up play is legendary - but who do the Barcelona players play tiki-taka with when they take their tired legs home?
On the field, their link-up play is legendary - but who do the Barcelona players play tiki-taka with when they take their tired legs home?
Here’s a selection of the Barca WAGS who will be cheering on their other halves as the Catalan giants take on Manchester City in the Champions League at the Etihad stadium tonight.
1. Andres Iniesta married Anna Ortiz, 27 in July 2012. On the wedding day, guests drank Iniesta’s own wine – named after their daughter Valeria, two. Apparently their love was kindled when she looked after him during an injury. A specialist in professional make-up, image consulting, hairdressing, beauty and health.
2. Model and nutritionist, Antonella Roccuzzo,26, is Lionel Messi’s other half. Their son Thiago shares a birthday with three-year-old Kai Rooney. The childhood sweethearts met through Lionel’s best friend – her cousin – aged just five in Rosario, Argentina. Messi later moved away for his career but kept on meeting Antonella at Christmas – until 2009 when they became an item.
3. Popstar Shakira Ripoll,37, is with Gerard Pique. Rumours abound they first started dated during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after meeting on the set of the video clip of the song Waka Waka (Time for Africa) – the anthem of the competition. The Columbian gave birth to Milan Pique and the couple live in Barcelona, although she also has a home in LA. She holds the record for winning the most Latin Grammy’s. She’s good friends with Antonella – when they were pregnant they were snapped out shopping together.
4.Thaissa Carvalgo is Dani Alvez’s girlfriend. The 31-year-old actress from Brazil speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish, so language won’t be a barrier. The couple met at a 2012 party in Brazil, where she is a well-known soapstar. Apparently her moto is ‘never give up’.
5.Lorena Lopez, 21, is Christian Tello’s childhood sweetheart. Expecting a baby girl in March, they plan to call her Carlota. Lorena, who studied at the university of Barcelona, first got together with Tello in March 2007. They are known for their love of dogs – and each other – apparently Tello takes her to all dinners and holidays and they have matching tattoos. Apparently she is one of the quieter wags.
6. Daniella Semaan, 38, is girlfriend to Cesc Fabregas – 12 years her junior. Lebanese Daniella was married for nearly 13 years to her now ex-husband Elie Taktouk, with whom she has two children. Cesc and Daniella had a girl together, Lia Fabregas, last April.
7. Hayet Kebir, 29, grew up in the same neighbourhood as husband Eric Abidal. The Algerian-born former gymnastics champion has had three children and a tattoo of her husband’s name on her finger. Their daughter Meliana is named after the Algerian city Khemis Meliana near Algiers – the capital of Algeria.
8. There are reports that Neymar may have recently split from girlfriend Bruna Marquezine, an actress and fellow Brazilian. His team are surely hoping it won’t distract him from the big game. Active on social media, one post from Bruna when the relationship was on track read: “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May. I’d guess you’d say. What can make me feel this way? #myboy.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... rs-6720057
Manchester United scouting Eliaquim Mangala, City’s £37 target
Manchester United are scouting Eliaquim Mangala in Portugal this week, reports The Guardian. Mangala almost joined Manchester City during the January transfer window but they were not able to close a deal for the Frenchman. City is expected to make a second attempt at Eliaquim Mangala this summer. However, with David Moyes sending scouts to watch him play in person, it appears both Manchester clubs will be after him.
United have been keen on Mangala in the past; they scouted the 23-year-old central defender in a match against Atletico Madrid in the past. According to The Guardian:
“Moyes is hoping to overhaul United’s squad in the close season, with the manager being handed a mandate by the club to bring in at least four major signings.”
According to The People’s Person:
“Mangala is strongly considered to be one of the best defensive prospects in Europe and at 23, he has his entire career ahead of him which would make him a very solid long-term investment.”
[spoiler]Lara Alvarez - Sergio Ramos' girlfriend
[/spoiler]Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a summer move for AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, after talks with the player's agent this week. Daily Express
Manchester United have watched Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala, who has a £35m buyout clause in his contract, for a third time but face competition from Chelsea to sign the 23-year-old France international. Daily Star
Wolfsburg striker Ivica Olic is keen on a move to the Premier League and Stoke are a possible destination for the 34-year-old, whose contract expires during the summer. Stoke Sentinel
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is planning a £25m summer move for 27-year-old Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic. Caught Offside
Manchester United have scouted Sporting Lisbon's 21-year-old midfielder William Carvalho for a 12th time this season. Talksport
Norwich chief executive David McNally says the Canaries could move swiftly to replace manager Chris Hughton if their Premier League status is threatened. Daily Mirror
England's World Cup referee Howard Webb was removed from a website touting his after-dinner speaking for £4,000 a night after criticism of his performance in Liverpool's FA Cup defeat by Arsenal on Sunday. Daily Telegraph
Rivals Juventus and AC Milan are in an "open challenge" to recruit Manchester United's 27-year-old Portuguese midfielder Nani for next season. Tuttosport
Footballing legend Zinedine Zidane says his 15-year-old son Luca, has all the qualities to succeed. AS.com
Paris St-Germain manager Laurent Blanc says star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 32, will be his "best asset" in the Champions League last-16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen. L'Equipe
Atletico Madrid's Spanish midfielder Raul Garcia, 27, says he is happy with an extension of his contract until 2018. AS.com
Manchester United's players bumped into Argentine football legend Diego Maradona during their warm-weather training camp in Dubai. Daily Mirror
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