Manchester City v FC Barcelona: Did you know?

FC Barcelona continue their bid to get to Lisbon on Tuesday evening (8.45 PM CET, TV3 and TVE) in the first knockout round of the Champions League. They are up against a fearsome rival in Manchester City, a side they have never played before in an official match, although the two clubs have played in six friendlies over the years. Here’s a selection of trivia to whet your appetite for the big match

FC Barcelona are in the last sixteen for the tenth year in a row, while City are playing at this stage for the first time ever.

Barça have never won in the city of Manchester. In four games away to Manchester United, the Catalans have drawn twice and lost twice.

The last time FCB met City was at the Gamper in 2009 (0-1). Touré, now with the Sky Blues, started for Barça that night.

Of the 19 Barça players that featured that night, nine are still at the club: Pinto, Montoya, Alves, Puyol, Bartra, Piqué, Sergio, Pedro and Messi.

FC Barcelona’s overall record in games played in England amounts to six wins, eight draws and fourteen defeats.

City have played four official games at home to sides from the Spanish Liga. They have won twice and drawn twice.

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini has faced FC Barcelona no fewer than 22 times as manager of Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga. Of those games, he has won four, drawn four and lost fourteen.

If Barça can get through the round they’ll be playing in the quarter finals for the eighth time in a row.

City qualified second in their group with 15 points, while Barça finished top of their group despite collecting fewer points, 13.

Cesc Fàbregas played against City thirteen times in his Arsenal days, winning nine of those. In the last game he played against them before joining Barça, he lined up alongside Song, who scored that day.

City regain Touré from suspension, but now it is Milner who is sidelined for the same reason. Fernandinho and Zabaleta are both one game away from suspension and would miss the return leg if they are booked at the Etihad.

Barça also welcome a player back from suspension, Cesc Fàbregas, but have no players one yellow away from missing the next match.