The former tough tackler
says City's first foray into the knock-out stages of the Champions League could
be decisive against Barcelona on Tuesday
Roy Keane says Manchester City's lack of
European experience will be a decisive factor in Barcelona's favour when the
sides meet in the Champions League last 16 at the Etihad on
Tuesday.
This is the first time City have reached
the knock-out stages of the Champions League, whereas the Spanish giants are
four-time winners of European football's biggest prize
Keane, who won the competition with
Manchester United in 1999, and will appear on ITV's Champions League coverage,
said: "What Barcelona have over City - despite City making great progress
- is that European experience. That might be the difference.
"In a sense, your league form does go
out the window because you’re playing against these world-renowned players, the
Messis, the Neymars.
"As much as [City] are doing well in
the Premier League, this is going to be a different animal.
"Attacking-wise City, particularly at
home, have been outstanding. But will they get that much possession? Because
Barcelona, no matter who they are playing, seem to dominate that.
"A lot will depend on if they can
stop Messi. Then they’ve got a great chance. Obviously I’ve stuck my neck out
on Barcelona but if City got through, that wouldn’t be a massive shock either."
Roy Keane
will be appearing as a pundit on ITV's live Champions League coverage,
including Manchester City v Barcelona tomorrow night.
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