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Brave City Bow Out.
Thursday, 13th Mar 2014 09:13

City bravely bowed out of European competition as Lionel Messi and Dani Alves both scored again as Barcelona claimed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The pair, who both struck in the 2-0 first-leg win, were on target in the second half at the Nou Camp as Barca completed a 4-1 aggregate win.

Facing a two-goal deficit from the first leg, City needed a good start to have any hope of progressing. But Barcelona produced the first clear opening in the 12th minute. Bursting into the box, Messi–who could have won a penalty moments earlier following Lescott's challenge–rounded City goalkeeper Joe Hart but saw his shot cleared by Kompany.

Barcelona put the ball in City's net in the 18th minute following a fine team move, but Messi was ruled offside in the buildup. Replays suggested Messi was onside before he squared to Neymar for the finish.

The hosts had another chance in the 39th minute after Neymar collected Andres Iniesta's lofted pass in the middle and took advantage of Aleksandar Kolarov's slip to work himself into position to shoot. But his low drive from the edge of the box on the right went wide of the near post.

The half ended with Fernandinho heading off the line from Neymar after the Brazilian had been put through following more Messi trickery.

City's coaching staff - making the decisions with Pellegrini confined to a watching brief - sent on Dzeko for the ineffective Aguero at half-time.

The Bosnian immediately added teeth to the attack and tested Valdes with a powerful strike.

But City were still vulnerable at the back and they again rode their luck when Messi seized possession and slid a fine shot past Hart but against the post.

City chanced their arm more and a well-placed looping header from Dzeko was superbly clawed out of the top corner by Valdes.

Zabaleta also found himself in space as Kolarov crossed but dragged his shot well wide.

Barca sensed the threat and simply upped their game. After firing wide Messi then made no mistake after 67 minutes as he pounced on Lescott's failed attempt to clear a Cesc Fabregas pass and dinked the ball over Hart.

City tried to fight on but their task became even tougher when Zabaleta was dismissed.

Dzeko charged into the area and had strong claims for a penalty as he went down under a Gerard Pique challenge.

City's players were furious nothing was given but Zabaleta took his protests too far and was given his marching orders with a second yellow card.

Kompany pulled one back after Dzeko won a header at a corner but it was too little too late and Alves again caught them on the break in the final moments.

"Tonight (Man City) came to try and turn the situation around, while we didn't allow ourselves to feel comfortable in spite of our advantage," Barca boss Martino told UEFA.com. "We suffered at times; it was predictable that City would have the ball at certain points. We didn't feel at ease when not in possession and we struggled at dead-ball situations."

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Photo: Action Images



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