Manchester City vs Barcelona preview - Fernandinho could face Barca

Posted Tuesday, February 18, 2014 by PA

Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho could be fit to face Barcelona in the Champions League this week.

The Brazilian has been out for the past fortnight with a muscle strain but has trained ahead of the first leg of the last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini said: "He has a chance. He is in the squad list for tomorrow (Tuesday).

"We will see who can start but he has worked without any problem."

Fernandinho's availability gives City a big lift for what will be one of the biggest nights in the club's history.

As expected, however, top scorer Sergio Aguero will not be involved, having failed to overcome a hamstring injury in time.

Pellegrini, speaking at his pre-match press conference, said: "He is not in the squad list.

"We will see if he can be fit on Saturday, but maybe that is also difficult."

Defender Matija Nastasic is also unlikely to feature, having not played an active part in the open training session at Eastlands.

Aguero's absence deprives fans of the chance to see him line up against his illustrious Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi, who has shown signs of rediscovering his best after an injury-hit season.

Pellegrini said: "Without doubt it is very difficult (to stop) Messi because he is a top player of the world.

"He does a lot of different things. He has speed, good control, a good finish.

"He is a good player but I don't think Barcelona is Messi. You can have Messi tight and other players will decide the game.

"It is important to play as a team defending and attacking."

City have qualified for the knockout stages for the first time after two previous failures at the group stage.

The encounter therefore represents another important landmark in the club's continuing development and that is something Pellegrini acknowledges, although he hopes there are even bigger games to come.

Pellegrini, whose side also contest the Capital One Cup final next month, said: "It is a good test, it is important.

"I don't think it is the most important thing because we are just in the round of 16.

"We can beat Barcelona and maybe in the next round you can have a defeat.

"This club is trying to develop in all areas and so far we have a good season, but we must finish that way.

"One of our targets is to try to continue in the Champions League knowing we play against the most important club in the world."

Gerardo Martino claims Manchester City are no clone of his Barcelona side - but simply one of the best teams in the world.

Quadruple-chasing City have earned widespread plaudits for their attractive, attacking football under Manuel Pellegrini this season, a lot of which has earned comparisons with the great Barcelona sides of recent years.

Martino would not be drawn on that matter as he met media ahead of the game, warning that City are just a fine side in their own right.

The Argentinian said: "I don't think City are a mini-Barcelona or a mini any team.

"I think they are one of the greatest teams in the world.

"They have great Spanish players like (Jesus) Navas and (David) Silva, but it is not only Spanish players.

"They have great players from all over the world like (Yaya) Toure, (Sergio) Aguero and Fernandinho."

For a team that has grown used to success in recent times, with three Champions League wins since 2006, elimination at this stage would be unthinkable for Barcelona.

Martino is well aware how badly defeat would be received but he feels the task could hardly be much tougher.

He said: "For the last six seasons Barcelona have made it to the semi-finals and the fans are used to that.

"It will be difficult to understand if we don't go through but it is the tightest tie of all."