Next: Barcelona (Home) - Champions League

[Saul Goodman]

The Norwich-City commentators just said Nasri will be available for the FA clash with Chelsea, so surely he'll be available for this if that's the case

[ENIAM NAM]

Not looking forward to this as much as I was a week ago...

[sheblue]

They must be shitting themselves now, after that display.

[AG7]

Barcelona's Neymar on course to face City

Neymar has been cleared to play in Barcelona's La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, raising hopes he will be primed for their Champions League tie with Manchester City next week after being sidelined with an ankle injury.

"He has been training fine, feels okay and has looked strong," coach Gerardo Martino said at a news conference on Friday.

"He is now competing with the rest for a place. I don't like to talk about it as a test for him (against Rayo)."

The 22-year-old has not played since limping off against Getafe in mid-January, and Argentine Martino said it was important he got through the Rayo match before they started thinking about the City challenge on Tuesday.

"It is normal to talk about the Champions League game because it is the most even of the last 16. We are concentrating on tomorrow's game. It was a blow for us to lose the leadership and it was difficult for us to win it back."

It has been a challenging first season of adaption for Brazil forward Neymar, and Barca will now be hoping to get the best out of the him as the season reaches its climax.

He will return alongside a rejuvenated Lionel Messi in attack, whose two goals against Sevilla on Sunday helped Barcelona return to the top of La Liga, albeit on goal difference over Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Messi was also on target on Wednesday as they secured a King's Cup final place against Real after overcoming Real Sociedad on aggregate, indicating he was returning to form after an injury-hampered season.

"I am happy to have the players available as over the season it has been difficult to have a situation like this. We have the players now and it is at an important time of the season," said Martino.

Midfielder Xavi would be rested against Rayo. "He is fine but he is not in the squad."

"Over the six or seven months so far we have been building to this point by having rotations and from now on it will be less so. The idea has been to have the players in good condition for the World Cup as well as for Barcelona."

Martino praised the possession-based tactics of Rayo coach Paco Jemez, although they remain in danger of relegation, sitting in 19th spot, four points off safety.

"He is very brave and I admire all those coaches that go out to play, even more so those with a squad that isn't the strongest individually. It is more than admirable to keep trying even when we are arriving at the end of the season."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/foot ... --sow.html

[Twobob]

Lets see how good he is in this kind of weather! I suspect he may get a niggle as the howling winds, rain and snow (and maybe a pie) slap him in the face as the coach doors open ;-)

[failsworthblue]

We cannot win without Sergio and Dhino, maybe hang on in the first leg and have a chance in the second.

They are still an exceptional side with the best player on the planet.

[South Stand Balti]

Neymar fit to play - cue the diving.

[Grimble101]

Just a quick msg tickets on sale on viagogo.es for barca v man city in a block next to away fans €180 each for any one interested

[Dunne's Half-Time Pint]

Just a quick msg tickets on sale on viagogo.es for barca v man city in a block next to away fans €180 each for any one interested

Face value or get the fuck out.

[JamieMCFC]

Pellegrini without trio against Barcelona

Manchester City will be without top scorer Sergio Aguero, midfielder Fernandinho and defender Matija Nastasic for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini does not expect the trio to return in time to face the Spanish champions at the Etihad Stadium.

"Nastasic, Aguero and Fernandinho are ruled out for Tuesday's game," he said. "They are not in a condition to play."

Pellegrini hailed his Barcelona counterpart Tata Martino and said that, while the Argentine has 12 superb players, he is doing a terrific job at the Nou Camp.

He added: "I think he is a great coach. He took over Barca at a difficult time, when the club had won many trophies. He is having a great season. They lead the Primera Liga standings, they are alive in the Champions League and they are in the final of the Copa del Rey.

"Any coach would love to have the roster that Barcelona have. Barcelona has 12 wonderful players. [Lionel] Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar, Cesc, Pedro, they are full of great players."

Pellegrini believes Martino’s side bear comparison with Pep Guardiola’s great teams. He explained: "This is a different Barca with respect to the best Barca ever. At this point of the season, there isn't much difference. They have different tactics which reflects Martino's football style but always maintain the philosophy of the club."

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/17160 ... na?cc=5901

[Nigels Tackle]

Pellegrini without trio against Barcelona

Manchester City will be without top scorer Sergio Aguero, midfielder Fernandinho and defender Matija Nastasic for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini does not expect the trio to return in time to face the Spanish champions at the Etihad Stadium.

"Nastasic, Aguero and Fernandinho are ruled out for Tuesday's game," he said. "They are not in a condition to play."

Pellegrini hailed his Barcelona counterpart Tata Martino and said that, while the Argentine has 12 superb players, he is doing a terrific job at the Nou Camp.

He added: "I think he is a great coach. He took over Barca at a difficult time, when the club had won many trophies. He is having a great season. They lead the Primera Liga standings, they are alive in the Champions League and they are in the final of the Copa del Rey.

"Any coach would love to have the roster that Barcelona have. Barcelona has 12 wonderful players. [Lionel] Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar, Cesc, Pedro, they are full of great players."

Pellegrini believes Martino’s side bear comparison with Pep Guardiola’s great teams. He explained: "This is a different Barca with respect to the best Barca ever. At this point of the season, there isn't much difference. They have different tactics which reflects Martino's football style but always maintain the philosophy of the club."

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/17160 ... na?cc=5901

mind games

[Saul Goodman]

I don't think so. I genuinely believe Aguero won't be fit..nor Nasti, but who really cares about him. I think Fern has the best chance but will he be rushed is the question

[Grimble101]

<null>

I'm not selling I'm informing that there selling them on Spanish site

[Dunne's Half-Time Pint]

<null>

I'm not selling I'm informing that there selling them on Spanish site

You working for said site then? €180 is a disgrace.

[Sparklehorse]

Am i imagining it, but have iTV covered any of Man City's CL games this season, if they have i can't remember any, and as far as i can tell next tuesday is on SKY as well. If i'm correct WTF is going on, surely this is not acceptable !!! With four other british clubs and six rounds broadcast that means at least one each for MU, Chelski, the Arsneehule and Celtic......
where did the other two go ??? Not Man City unless my memory needs a good kicking !!!! Someone please enlighten me !!

[AG7]

Am i imagining it, but have iTV covered any of Man City's CL games this season, if they have i can't remember any, and as far as i can tell next tuesday is on SKY as well. If i'm correct WTF is going on, surely this is not acceptable !!! With four other british clubs and six rounds broadcast that means at least one each for MU, Chelski, the Arsneehule and Celtic...... where did the other two go ??? Not Man City unless my memory needs a good kicking !!!! Someone please enlighten me !!

Yup, you are right, ITV didn't pick any of our games in the 6 rounds/game days that went by BUT next week unfortunately they are the ones showing us.

Fucking coverage starts at 7:30pm for a 7:45pm kick off ... and that 15 min build up will have 8-10 mins of ads for sure ... bloody joke that is ... and UEFA said this will probably be the biggest game of this year outside of the Final ... and ITV will show Emmerdale while Sky previews/builds up for 45 mins to the Bayer Leverkusen game (v PSG) ... fucking joke, can't wait for BT Sport to take over all of CL from 2015, anyone will be surely be better than these cunts!

[Im_Spartacus]

You working for said site then? €180 is a disgrace.

To be fair, that's not half as bad as I expected from those robbing cunts

[Im_Spartacus]

Yup, you are right, ITV didn't pick any of our games in the 6 rounds/game days that went by BUT next week unfortunately they are the ones showing us.

Fucking coverage starts at 7:30pm for a 7:45pm kick off ... and that 15 min build up will have 8-10 mins of ads for sure ... bloody joke that is ... and UEFA said this will probably be the biggest game of this year outside of the Final ... and ITV will show Emmerdale while Sky previews/builds up for 45 mins to the Bayer Leverkusen game (v PSG) ... fucking joke, can't wait for BT Sport to take over all of CL from 2015, anyone will be surely be better than these cunts!

So long as its not Owen doing the build up eh?

[AG7]

So long as its not Owen doing the build up eh?

Owen won't survive till 2015 there ...

[phips]

5-man midfield and Lescott please