Andres Iniesta: Barcelona will make Manchester City SUFFER at Nou Camp

ANDRES INIESTA has warned Manchester City that Barcelona intend to make them “suffer” in tomorrow’s Champions League showdown in the Nou Camp.

Andres Iniestasays Barcelona's ball possession will make Man City suffer

In-form La Liga leaders Barcelona hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg of the last 16 tie and are clear favourites to reach the quarter-finals for the eighth successive season.

But Iniesta insists Luis Enrique's team will not ease their foot off the pedal and give City any encouragement of causing an upset. He says they will aim to take early control and play the same possession game that City found so difficult to handle, especially in the first half at the Etihad Stadium last month.

He said: “We will have to go out there and play in a very comprehensive manner, we need to have lots of ball possession so they suffer, so they are chasing the ball.

"We need to have a lot of skill to minimise their potential and stop them from achieving their own objectives. We have to control what is going on at every different moment. This is what we have to do.”

Spain international Iniesta is puzzled by City’s faltering form both in the Premier League and in Europe but believes they remain "dangerous” opponents.

He added: “I don’t know exactly what is going on in that team with those players because I am not there and am on the outside. But from a distance my perception of Manchester City is still the same – they are a very sound team.

"It’s a team with top quality players in all positions and it is difficult to overcome Manchester City. Of course throughout a year in the Premier League they can have difficult moments but that can make that them more dangerous to us.”

Barcelona face bitter rivals Real Madrid in El Classico at the Nou Camp on Sunday but Iniesta insists they cannot allow thoughts of the key domestic battle to distract them tomorrow.

"We are not thinking beyond tomorrow,” he said. “It is very important that we concentrate totally on Manchester City and then, on Thursday, start thinking about Real. We hold a lead form the first leg but City have some great players who can turn the tie upside down. At all levels we need to have total concentration.”

Barcelona are likely to make only one change form the first leg with veteran Xavi set to replace the injured Sergio Busquets in midfield.