City primed for Barcelona

Manuel Pellegrini believes Manchester City is in far better form to take on Barcelona in this season's Champions League than it was when it lost to the same opponent in the competition 12 months ago.

The Catalan club visits Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for the first leg of the last-16 tie, a repeat of last season's two-legged meeting from which Barca emerged as 4-1 aggregrate winner and City had players sent off in each game.

But, after a 5-0 victory over Newcastle United hauled City to within five points of Premier League leader Chelsea, Pellegrini claimed that his side will be far tougher opponent this time around.