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Silva: Man City lucky to avoid Barcelona rout


The Premier League champions were second best throughout against a side boasting a front three of four-time Ballon D’Or winner Lionel Messi, Brazil star Neymar and the 2013-14 PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year, Luis Suarez.


The former Liverpool man opened the scoring inside 16 minutes as he fired past Joe Hart after Messi’s cross had deflected into his path, before grabbing his second when firing low into the net from Jordi Alba’s cross.

The hosts pulled a goal back just after the midway point of the second half through Sergio Aguero, and after seeing Gael Clichy sent off for two yellow cards, avoided a 3-1 defeat when Messi’s late penalty was kept out by Hart.

Barcelona had several other chances during the game to render the tie all but over going into the return fixture at the Nou Camp on March 18, and Silva admits his side were lucky not to lose by more on Tuesday. He said: "During the first half, we just didn't do good. Barcelona did much better, they were better positioned than us in the field, catching all the balls.

"Since they scored, we were wrong. In the second half the team was able to react, we had chances to tie the match, but the red card diminished us and we couldn't do more. Our pressure was no good and we were late. Barcelona play very fast and if you don't do well, you have no chance to reach the ball. And we gave them many chances today.

"At the end, it was less than expected, because things could be much worse after the first half we did."

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