Barcelona came away from the Etihad Stadium with a two goal advantage going into the Nou Camp second leg, following second half goals from Lionel Messi and Daniel Alves, with Messi scoring a controversial penalty.
City would have felt frustrated that chances went missing in pressure moments, as two mistakes eventually coast the Sky Blues the game in the end.
Barcelona started the game as they usually do in most of their games, with the experienced Xavi dictating the midfield play, as Barcelona passed the ball in their Tika Takka style that they are most famed for.
Lionel Messi was looking rather lively, twisting and turning Martin Demichelis, as Manuel Pellegrini watched on.
City then came into the game more in the opening quarter of an hour or so, with Jesus Naves finding space down the wing, before efficiantly finding Negredo, who shot just wide.
Negrado then controlled a ball which was pumped down by Kompany, with the striker shaking off his marker, before lashing a rasping effort across the face of goal, in an entertaining opening fifteen minutes.
Alvaro Negrado then saw his shot well saved by Victor Valdes after 26 minutes, as City pressed on a crisp, but chilly evening at the Etihad.
Lionel Messi was proving to be a handful for Kompany and co, and after collecting the ball off Iniesta, the Argentine found some space, and smashed the ball just over Hart’s bar after 30 minutes.
Xavi then saw his pile driver from outside the box well tipped over by Hart, after 32 minutes.
Barcelona then had a penalty appeal turned down, after Gael Clichy appeared to have handled a cross, however, the Barcelona protests were waved away.
Negrado then nodded just wide after 35 minutes, following a neat ball from Yaya Toure, who had played in Clichy, who assisted the cross.
Aleksander Kolarov then went close after 38 minutes, as Barcelona were being pinned into their own area.
Spanish midfield dynamo Andres Iniesta then saw his driven attempt go just past the post, in a fairly even first half of play.
A free kick from David Silva caused chaos in the box, with Yaya Toure seeing his effort well saved by Valdes just before half time.
City started the second half in a stable manner, but the Catalans snuffed out any real opening.
However, City’s bubble would soon be burst after 54 minutes, in a controversial fashion, as Barcelona were awarded a rather dubious penalty kick.
Tricky Argentine Messi escaped Demichelis, after running onto a lovely through ball from Iniesta, Messi was then brought down by his international team-mate, with Demichelis recieving a red card, for a foul which appeared to be outside the box.
Messi stepped up, and slotted down the middle of Hart’s goal, sending the keeper the wriong way, to give the La Liga side the lead.
City, who were obviously missing Aguero, almost found an equaliser, however, David Silva saw his half Volley well saved by Victor Valdes in the 76th minute of the encounter.
Fullback Dani Alves then wrapped up the win, after some neat build up play, the Brazilian found space, and drove at the City defence, before slotting under the advancing Hart infront of the travelling supporters.
City captain Vincent Kompany stated after the defeat on his official verified Twitter account…
“Not very happy tonight for many reasons but I can’t fault anyone for effort. Tough task now but I’m not giving up.”
He also stated to ITV Sport..
By no means we thought they were superior. When it was 11 v 11, maybe we showed a bit more respect.
“[When asked if Barcelona were the best team Manchester City have faced] Not at all. Incredibly efficient though – they have great individual quality.
“There was a lot of soft fouls. In the Premier League they would have not been given.
“If the tempo was in this game it would have been to our advantage.
“If the game is the same as today, and we manage to stay away from some fouls, we have got a chance [in the second leg].”
Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas also stated following his sides win…
“We had a great result tonight. The fans put so much pressure on and that’s what makes this so win special. We had a point to prove, and we did it very well. Some people were talking a bit too much before the game and now they have to shut up for a few days.
“You never know in football, but in three weeks we will have to play very, very well.”
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
