Champions League soccer is back and the biggest matchup of the round of 16 will kick off the festivities on Tuesday when Barcelona visits Manchester City.
The match has a plethora of major storylines. Both sides are equipped with numerous Spanish superstars. On one side of the field will be one of the best teams in the best decade (though Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho recently claimed that Barcelona's team was the "worst" it has been in years) while the other side features a perennial Premier League titan.
More importantly, the matchup features one of the biggest tests that either side will face in this competition. Barcelona has a lethal offense but is suspect on the backend; one could make the same exact argument for City.
Two straight years of semi-final exits in the UCL have damaged the invincible aura of Spanish soccer, while City is looking to take advantage of its first knockout rounds in this tournament in what seems like an eternity.
So how do the teams matchup?
Recent Results
Barcelona's last five games have featured three wins, one draw and one loss. The defeat came at home against Valencia back on Feb.1 by the score of 3-2. That game showcased how poor Barcelona's defense could be on a bad day. Four days later the team took down Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey by the score of 2-0. A 4-1 win in Sevilla featured the resurgence of Lionel Messi after a slow start to the year; a 1-1 draw in the second leg of the Copa del Rey was followed by a 6-0 win over Rayo Vallecano this weekend.
City is coming off a huge 2-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup; the win snapped a two-game winless streak for the team; Manchester had lost 1-0 at home against Chelsea in the Premier League and had drawn 0-0 at Norwich.
Barcelona Will Win If...
It dominates possession and limits Manchester City's chances on the flanks and in their own box. City owns the physical advantage and one might argue that the threat of Jesus Navas on the right flank could be too much for the Spanish side to handle. More importantly, Barcelona needs support for Messi from its other forwards. Manchester is likely to keep Messi in check with physical marking.
Manchester City Will Win If...
It tires Barcelona and wins the physical battle. It is essential to remember that this is a two-legged tie and while City will want to win at home, frustrating Barcelona is far more important than anything else. Leaving the Spanish side exhausted and intimidated ahead of the next leg is just as important as winning this match. Of course, City needs to score goals and the more the merrier. The team has speed down the middle and on the wings; the speed battle is arguably equal for both sides, but City has the strength and is used to more physical encounters. The team must not be afraid to put tremendous amounts of sustained pressure on Barcelona's passing game, lest it wants to be dismantled in the same manner that Bayern Munich was earlier this season at the Ethiad Stadium. Joe Hart's form will also be a major factor.
The match kicks off at 2:45 p.m. EST and can be streamed online on Fox Soccer 2 Go. It can also be viewed on Fox Deportes; ESPN Deportes radio is also streaming the match.
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