BARCELONA, Spain (Sporting Alert) — Barcelona named a very strong team to face Manchester City in their Champions League round of 16 second leg knock-out clash at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
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First leg hero Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar all start in a powerful attack for the Spanish side, which leads the tie 2-1, following their victory in Manchester in the first leg.
Star playmaker Andres Iniesta returns in his favourite role and he will join Javier Mascherano and Ivan Rakitić in the supporting and game control role.
Pedro, Xavi and Sergi Roberto are all among the substitutes.
Holding midfielder Sergio Busquets misses out because of injuries, so French defender Jeremy Mathieu comes in as his replacement.
Manchester City, meanwhile, handed a starting place to Bacary Sagna, who plays at right-back for Pablo Zabaleta, while energetic midfielder Yaya Toure returns after missing the first leg defeat because of suspension.
Toure joins James Milner, Fernandinho, Samir Nasri and David Silva in midfield, with Sergio Aguero leading the attacking line, as Edin Dzeko is dropped to the bench.
Gael Clichy is suspended and Fernando joins Frank Lampard, Jesus Navas and Wilfried Bony on the substitutes’ bench.
Teams
Barcelona: Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba, Rakitic, Mascherano, Iniesta, Messi, Suarez, Neymar – Subs: Bravo, Xavi, Pedro, Rafinha, Bartra, Sergi Roberto and Adriano.
Manchester City: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Nasri, Fernandinho, Toure, Milner, Silva, Aguero – Subs: Caballero, Zabaleta, Lampard, Fernando, Bony, Navas, Dzeko.
