Champions League: Barcelona wary despite beating Man City

Image source, AP

  • Author, Chris Bevan
  • Role, 91热爆 Sport at Etihad Stadium

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino insists his side's Champions League tie with Manchester City is not over despite the Catalans' victory at Etihad Stadium.

Barca won the first leg of their last-16 clash 2-0 after City had defender Martin Demichelis sent off.

Martino said: "It is true we have played well away and we have got the result we came for.

"But I am not confident. We cannot forget that City lost to Bayern Munich at home this season, but won away."

In the group stage of this season's competition, City were defeated 3-1 at home but rebounded with a 3-2 triumph in Munich.

The return leg of the last-16 meeting is at the Nou Camp on 12 March and Martino feels his players cannot afford to lose their concentration at any point of that fixture if they are to remain in control of the tie.

"We have to play then with the same intensity and commitment we did in this game," Martino added.

"City are almost at the same level - the only difference is that we scored twice.

"We lost control of the game for 10 minutes of the first half and we did the same for 10 minutes in the second half too. That was very risky because in that time City created two chances.

"But I am happy with the result. We have played well for the first 90 minutes - I say first 90 minutes because this tie is over 180 minutes.

"Now we have to repeat that performance. We will start the second leg as if it is 0-0."