TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Manchester City failed to take home advantage when facing Barcelona in the first leg of the top 16 tier of Champions League. Playing at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Barcelona crushed Manchester City 2-1.
It was Luis "El Pistolero" Suarez that starred the night, scoring a brace for Barcelona in the first half. Suarez’ teammate and Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi nearly doubled the lead if he had not been denied for offside and blocked at penalty kick.
City, on the other hand, seemed to play underform last night, booking only 39 percent of ball possession. The home team even lost defender Gael Clichy in the second half for earning his second yellow card of the night. Despite scoring a goal in the 69th, City were far from equalizing the scoreline.
The two teams will collide again at Camp Nou on March 19. The odds are likely to be in Barcelona’s favor, as they need to score only a draw to pass to quarterfinals.
FOOTBALL ESPANA | NURDIN
