Barcelona built an early lead and held on to take a 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match at Manchester City. A brace by Luis Suarez in the match’s first half hour gave the Blaugrana the advantage in the match.

Even though Sergio Aguero would later score after a wonderful ball from David Silva, a Gael Clichy red card pretty much clinched things for Barcelona as they look to take this match heavily now in the second leg in the Camp Nou.

Things got rolling early for the away side when in the 16th minute, Luis Suarez was able to fire hard and low, following a brilliant cross by Lionel Messi on the right, past Joe Hart and lift Barcelona into the lead.

Manchester City wasn't able to recover from that goal in the first half as the Blaugrana side continued with adventurous passing and build-up throughout the half.

Suarez bagged his brace just 14 minutes later, putting Man City in an awful spot. Jordi Alba sent a gorgeous cross through the former Liverpool man, who left no doubt in making it 2-0.

Barca were in complete control and Dani Alves struck the crossbar with what appeared to be an attempted cross before Samir Nasri finally called German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen into action two minutes before the end of a one-sided first half. 

In the second half, Manchester City looked far more dangerous in the first few minutes of the second half than they had in the opening 45 and a great Javier Mascherano block kept out Nasri's strike, before the unmarked Edin Dzeko headed straight at Ter Stegen from six yards out.

Wilfried Bony came on for his Champions League debut in place of the Bosnian striker and City deservedly pulled a goal back when David Silva's clever backheel found Aguero, who fired an unstoppable right-foot strike beyond Ter Stegen.

Just when City appeared poised to break through and try to achieve a comeback, Gael Clichy was sent off following a poor high challenge on Dani Alves served as a second yellow card, and City was down to 10 men for the rest of the match and the French fullback is suspended for the second leg

Lionel Messi had a goal ruled out for offside in the 90th minute. He then won a penalty seconds later to give Barca the chance to make it 3-1. However, he had his spot kick saved by Hart and put the rebound wide to make sure the second leg at the Camp Nou will surely be a must see match.

Barcelona were able to get their 2nd straight away win in Manchester and will look forward to this match while City will be looking to see if they will be able to provide a shock win in Barcelona.

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About the author
Roberto Rojas
Writing about the beautiful game. Cohost of the @LowLimitFutbol Podcast.