Barca make mockery of crisis talk as last eight beckons

Barcelona dismissed any notion they are a declining force when they won 2-0 at Manchester City on Tuesday to virtually guarantee their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the seventh successive season.

Messi broke the deadlock from the spot in the 54th minute after he was fouled by City defender Martin Demichelis, who was also sent off for a challenge that was initially made outside the penalty area.
And despite a defiant response from Manuel Pellegrini's side, Alves delivered what is surely the decisive blow when he exchanged passes with Neymar before sliding a cool finish under City keeper Joe Hart in the final minute.

A match billed as a possible turning point in Manchester City's history following their glitzy cash-laden rebirth fuelled by Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mansour's heavy investment, ended in a comprehensive Barcelona win.

Barca, top of La Liga and in the Spanish Cup final, now look set to advance and make a mockery of the words of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who said before the match: "This is the worst Barcelona team for many, many years, so City have a chance."

However, this is City's best team for many, many years too but it looks like that chance has already slipped away.