Barcelona are not clear favourites to beat Manchester City and reach the Champions League quarter-finals, says coach Luis Enrique.
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The Catalan club are aiming to reach the last eight for a ninth straight season, while City have never gone beyond the last 16.
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“I don’t think there is a favourite,” said Enrique,
ahead of Tuesday’s first leg at Etihad Stadium.
Barca beat City 4-1 on aggregate at the same stage last season.
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Enrique said: “It is dangerous to speak of favourites
in the Champions League – you have to demonstrate
yourself on the field.”
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Midfielder Samir Nasri admitted City respected
Barcelona “too much” last year and “were not
experienced enough to compete”. But captain Vincent Kompany said Tuesday’s opponents had
“nothing new to worry us”.
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Here is what Enrique had to say at the pre-game
news conference.
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Was Saturday’s defeat by Malaga down to Barca
thinking about Manchester City?
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“The Malaga defeat was nothing to do with thinking
about Manchester City. We went into the Malaga
game in top condition, and were thinking only and
exclusively on that game.
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