David Villa believes the last-16 Champions League tie between Manchester City and Barcelona will be ‘very closer’.
The Catalans have won their last 11 competitive matches in all competitions and are increasingly favourites to win the Champions League this season, whilst City have struggled domestically, having missed Yaya Toure, who was absent over January due to the AFCON.
However, despite the gap in form, former Barcelona and now, New York City FC striker David Villa believes the game will be close, before stating that City boss Manuel Pellegrini will know how to beat Barca.
“I think it will be a very close tie,” Villa told the official City website.
“City and Barcelona are two of the best clubs in the world with great players so I’m sure it will be a very good tie to watch.
“I’m sure that Manuel Pellegrini and all his staff know Barcelona very well. When you face this kind of teams you have to make sure that you make it difficult for them and try to take advantage of their weaknesses.
“Barca are in very good form. They win games, they have closed the gap with Real Madrid and they won against Atletico – a very difficult team to beat – in Copa del Rey so they are in a good moment.
“I think they were also playing well before but they didn’t get the results. You always have more confidence when you win games.”
The first leg is scheduled to take place in Manchester on February 24 at Etihad stadium.