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Barcelona logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 19, 2016 at 7.45pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

4-0

Messi (17', 61', 69'), Neymar (89')
Mathieu (73')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Bravo (53')

John Stones 'not scared' of trying to stop Barcelona star Lionel Messi

Manchester City defender John Stones insists that he is 'not scared' of trying to stop Barcelona star Lionel Messi in tomorrow's Champions League clash.

Manchester City defender John Stones has insisted that he is 'not scared' of coming up against Barcelona star Lionel Messi in tomorrow's Champions League group clash at Camp Nou.

The 22-year-old has never before been given the task of stopping Messi, who marked his return from a groin injury by scoring in Barca's 4-0 rout over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.

Despite the huge ask of trying to keep the five-time Ballon d'Or winner quiet, Stones is calm heading into the clash.

In an interview with Sport360, the centre-back said: "It will be great to come face to face with them. It doesn't scare me, no. I think you have to play against the best to see how you can deal with it and it always brings the best out in you as well. I see it as an exciting challenge and one I'm looking forward to - if I'm picked to play of course.

"For me, Messi's the best player in the world, easily. He's one of a kind. I think we, as footballers, appreciate it even more when you come up against him and see what he can really do."

City boss Pep Guardiola is expected to receive a warm welcome from the opposing fans as he guided the Spanish club to 14 trophies during his four-year spell as manager.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during his side's Premier League match against Everton at the Etihad Stadium on October 15, 2016
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6Barcelona43019
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11Lille42117
12Man City42117
13Arsenal42117
14B. Leverkusen42117
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21Real Madrid42026
22Brugge42026
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24PSV41215
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26Stuttgart41124
27PSG41124
28Shakhtar41124
29Girona41033
30Salzburg41033
31Bologna40131
32RB Leipzig40040
33Sturm Graz40040
34Young Boys40040
35Red Star40040
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