Barca defeats City and reaches the quarters

Barcaman

Administrator
Staff member
FC Barcelona won by a single goal from Croatian Ivan Rakitic to top Manchester City 1–0 on a crisp evening at Camp Nou, capping a 3–1 aggregate result and putting the Catalans through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Barça goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen made a diving stop on a late Kun Agüero penalty kick to preserve the victory.

2015.03.18_FCB_-_MANCHESTER_011.v1426710641.JPG




Messi runs the show


Leo Messi, despite being kept off the score sheet, was at or near his best. The Argentinian put on a true show of his technical prowess, wowing the crowd by dribbling around, and through, defenders all night long, while coming very close to scoring on several occasions. His front-line cohorts, Neymar andLuis Suárez, also enjoyed multiple opportunities, but Citizen goalkeeper Joe Hart was spectacular between the posts.

Rakitic scores

Despite Barça's attacking firepower, it was Rakitic who broke the ice at the half-hour mark. Jordi Albast arted the play by carrying the ball from deep in Barça territory out to midfield, where he found Messi lurking near the sideline.

The Argentinian crossed into City territory and glided towards the penalty area before lofting a long cross to Rakitic on the far side. Rakitic corralled the ball with his chest and effortlessly lifted it over a charging Hart and into the net.

Manchester City played at the limit of aggressiveness throughout the encounter, drawing four first-half yellow cards and frequently tackling from behind while attempting to keep Barça from controlling the flow of the game.

Late chance

After the break, City began to settle in and were more at ease moving into Barça’s end. Knowing they had to score, the visitors became more vulnerable to counterattacks, which Barça’s forwards exploit without mercy. On 65 minutes Neymar and Messi had a two-on-one, but the sequence ended with Hart thwarting Messi at point-blank range.

Time was running out for City, but their persistence paid off in the 77th when Barça defender Gerard Piqué was whistled for taking down Agüero in the penalty area. With a chance to tie the game from the spot, Agüero fired to Ter Stegen's right. The Catalan keeper guessed correctly and knocked the ball away.
 

Altomonte

New member
FC Barcelona won by a single goal from Croatian Ivan Rakitic to top Manchester City 1–0 on a crisp evening at Camp Nou, capping a 3–1 aggregate result and putting the Catalans through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Barça goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen made a diving stop on a late Kun Agüero penalty kick to preserve the victory.

2015.03.18_FCB_-_MANCHESTER_011.v1426710641.JPG




Messi runs the show


Leo Messi, despite being kept off the score sheet, was at or near his best. The Argentinian put on a true show of his technical prowess, wowing the crowd by dribbling around, and through, defenders all night long, while coming very close to scoring on several occasions. His front-line cohorts, Neymar andLuis Suárez, also enjoyed multiple opportunities, but Citizen goalkeeper Joe Hart was spectacular between the posts.

Rakitic scores

Despite Barça's attacking firepower, it was Rakitic who broke the ice at the half-hour mark. Jordi Albast arted the play by carrying the ball from deep in Barça territory out to midfield, where he found Messi lurking near the sideline.

The Argentinian crossed into City territory and glided towards the penalty area before lofting a long cross to Rakitic on the far side. Rakitic corralled the ball with his chest and effortlessly lifted it over a charging Hart and into the net.

Manchester City played at the limit of aggressiveness throughout the encounter, drawing four first-half yellow cards and frequently tackling from behind while attempting to keep Barça from controlling the flow of the game.

Late chance

After the break, City began to settle in and were more at ease moving into Barça’s end. Knowing they had to score, the visitors became more vulnerable to counterattacks, which Barça’s forwards exploit without mercy. On 65 minutes Neymar and Messi had a two-on-one, but the sequence ended with Hart thwarting Messi at point-blank range.

Time was running out for City, but their persistence paid off in the 77th when Barça defender Gerard Piqué was whistled for taking down Agüero in the penalty area. With a chance to tie the game from the spot, Agüero fired to Ter Stegen's right. The Catalan keeper guessed correctly and knocked the ball away.

MOTM was Joe Hart, along with Messi who was at his very best in the first half and seemed to preserve some of his strength (Clasico?) in the second half. Barca hit the post twice, the crossbar, and most of the time Joe Hart. All in all a very good performance that should have resulted in 4-5 goals on a normal day.
 

Bucky

Penya Member
Great write up Bojan. Very entertaining match, looked like they were conserving energy whilst still being lethal and controlling the game. City had maybe too much of the ball but couldn't do a lot with it as our defence across the field was brilliant. Felt like we just toyed with them and as Kompany has said in his interview; they were out classed and Barça are far superior - a different level.

Altomonte, welcome to the forums, but you really didn't need to quote the entire first post when you're the second person to post :facepalm:
 

Bucky

Penya Member
Yup I think that sums it up perfectly ^

Without much effort, good training, run about.

Think at the moment that's why I don't think it's quite real... or sunk in yet? Ah don't know. Looking forward to the draw tomorrow, just waiting to hear that over so predictable "Barça vs... Bayern Munich" :lol:
 

jairzinho

Senior Member
I suspect as is normally the case, that we draw Bayern or Juve while Madrid get their path paved with gold with a draw against Monaco.
 
F

Flavia

Guest
I suspect as is normally the case, that we draw Bayern or Juve while Madrid get their path paved with gold with a draw against Monaco.

So far rm played Liverpool, Basel, Ludogorets and Schalke. Getting Monaco would make this the easiest path ever, I think. So it'll happen.
 

Antimadridista1

New member
Their last 3 quarters-finals were against Tottenham, Galatasaray and Apoel.
They always get easy draws.

I think that we'll get one of Bayern/Atleti/PSG.
 

Home of Barca Fans

Top