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Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has sounded out a warning to Barcelona ahead of their Champions League Round of 16 fixture at the Etihad on Tuesday night. This is a repeat of last season's fixture which saw Barcelona knock the eventual Premier League champions out of the tournament.
Last season's aggregate score was 4-1 in favour of Barcelona when they won both legs comfortably scoring two goals in each game. But the Argentine striker believes the Sky Blues are a lot more experienced in Europe this time while talking about wins over Bayern Munich and AS Roma in the group stages as proof.
Both City and Barca are not the same as last year: Aguero
Aguero said: “Barca made it difficult for us last time because they kept the ball so well. That’s one of their main strengths and that made it difficult for us to dominate the game.
“We wanted to attack them more but we weren’t able to reach the final third of the pitch as often as we wanted to.
“This is a new game and we’re are not the same as we were last season and they aren’t, either. Both of teams have had reinforcements that have improved the squad so we’ll have to see what kind of game it is.
“But one thing I think I can say with confidence is that they are both going to be great games,” he added.
Confident of progressing in spite of drawing Barcelona again: Aguero
When asked about the prospect of playing the La Liga giants in the same round as last year, Aguero said: “I didn’t think ‘not Barca again’ when the draw was made but it’s a big coincidence, isn’t it?
“We’re confident we’ll do well – when many thought we were down and out in this competition, we defeated Bayern and then Roma in Italy.
“That shows we are growing as a European force and we can do it again.”
‘Friendship with Messi has no place on the field’
Aguero also mentioned that he and fellow Argentina striker Lionel Messi haven’t spoken since the Round of 16 draw was made. And he felt there was no need to do so.
“We had that conversation last year so there’s no need to do it again,” Aguero said.
“It’s clear that friendship has no place in the field. We are both focused in giving our team the best until the whistle blows and that’s the way it should be.”
