Monday 15 December 2014 13:51, UK
Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain claimed they no longer need to attend Champions League draws after they were paired with Barcelona in the last-16 for the second successive season.
City’s reward for beating Bayern Munich and Roma away to qualify for the knockout stages is a rematch with Barca, who defeated them 4-1 on aggregate at the same stage of last season’s competition.
As well as Bayern, Manuel Pellegrini’s side had to face CSKA Moscow in the group stages for the second year in a row and they have now been drawn against familiar opposition once again.
“It is unbelievable. We don’t need to come (to the draw) because every time it is the same," former Barcelona player and Director of Football Begiristain told Sky Sports News HQ.
“We faced Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow in the group phase and now we have to deal again with Barcelona, like last season.”
Begiristain feels the way in which they won their final two group games to advance will provide a welcome boost going into the home and away ties with Barca in February and March 2015.
“We now have plenty of confidence for the next round. We beat Bayern Munich and Roma away and we had the confidence to recover players (after injury) to arrive in a good moment to these games,” he added.
“We have improved our squad so we are more solid than last season. We have the same quality in attack and we are more solid behind (in defence). It gives us confidence.”
As for his impending return to Barcelona, Begiristain admits it will be an emotional experience for him.
We faced Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow in the group phase and now we have to deal again with Barcelona.
“I will feel emotional and it will be difficult,” he said.
“I will take time to visit family and friends in and out of the club. We know everything about them.”
Barcelona sporting vice-president Jordi Mestre insists it will be a tough game for his side, despite the comfortable way in which they saw off Manchester City earlier this year.
“For us Manchester City is quite a tough team, it will be a very hard match,” said Mestre.
“Last season we had the same rival and we’ll see. The only favour we have is the second match is in our stadium.
“It is an attractive match. As well (as Messi) we have Neymar, Suarez and other players like Iniesta Xavi and Pique.
“Every season is different. We have a new coach, new players in our team. It will be different for sure but very tough.
“It should be our turn (to win the Champions League). If we want to win the final we must play against all rivals and win all of them.”
Manchester City will welcome Barcelona to the Etihad on February 24 with the return leg on March 18.
