MX23RW : Saturday, November 30 09:30:57| >> :120:7782:7782:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
Champions League | Round-Of-16
Mar 12, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

2-1

Messi (67'), Alves (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Kompany (89')

Xavi: 'Manchester City surprised us in first leg'

Barcelona midfielder Xavi admits that his side were surprised by Manchester City's approach in the first leg of their Champions League tie last month.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has admitted that he was surprised by Manchester City's approach in the first leg of their Champions League clash last month.

Barca won 2-0 at the Etihad on February 18 thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Dani Alves.

Xavi told the Daily Mail: "We were expecting they would want to have more of the ball. The way they set up surprised us a little too. They weren't defensive but they were sitting back.

"Manuel Pellegrini's teams normally want the ball and to take the game to the opposition. He normally likes to play football, open up the game down the wings and press high up the pitch. In a way, this time they did neither.

"They have players for a style more like Barcelona so it was a bit of a surprise."

The second leg at Camp Nou will be played on March 12.

ID:143083: cacheID:143083:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2156:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini prior to kick-off against Blackburn during their FA Cup third round match on January 4, 2013
Read Next:
Pellegrini rejects Messi speculation
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool550015
2Inter Milan541013
3Barcelona540112
4Dortmund540112
5Atalanta532011
6Arsenal531110
7Sporting Lisbon531110
8B. Leverkusen531110
9Brest531110
10Aston Villa531110
11Monaco531110
12Lille531110
13Bayern53029
14Benfica53029
15AC Milan53029
16Atletico53029
17Juventus52218
18Man City52218
19PSV52218
20Celtic52218
21Brugge52127
22Feyenoord52127
23Dinamo Zagreb52127
24Real Madrid52036
25Stuttgart51134
26Sparta Prague51134
27PSG51134
28Shakhtar51134
29Sturm Graz51043
30Girona51043
31Red Star51043
32Salzburg51043
33Bologna50141
34RB Leipzig50050
35Slovan Bratislava50050
36Young Boys50050


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!