Monday, 17 February 2014

Manchester City want to be a 'big fish' like Barcelona, admits Yaya Toure ahead of Champions League clash



City welcome the Catalan giants to the Etihad tomorrow night and the Ivorian believes his current side are clear underdogs
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has admitted his side are a work in progress, who aim to be at the same level as Champions League last-16 opponents Barcelona.
Manuel Pellegrini's men will take on the Catalans at the Etihad tomorrow, having progressed from the group stage for the first time in their history.

Barca have won the competition four times, with Toure playing a pivotal role in their 2009 triumph, prior to his move to Manchester, and the Ivorian believes the historic difference gives his former side the edge.

He told ESPN: "Barcelona have experience. They have chemistry. They have a strong mentality.
"Barcelona know how to manage these situations because they have been such a strong club for so long and for us it is the first time.
"We don't want to put pressure on ourselves because clubs like Madrid and Barcelona have a big history. We want to be at that level. Our goal is to become one of the big fish."
Many believe City will need to deliver another excellent Etihad performance - where they have lost just five times since 2011 - in order to progress.
And Toure - who has admitted he is apprehensive about the clash - is well aware of the dangers that tomorrow night's opponent pose, with one Lionel Messi in their ranks.

He added: "What we want to do it to test ourselves because we have been so dominant at the Etihad.
"But against Barcelona we will have to be careful because they have a fantastic counter-attack and the best player in the world on their team."

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