Yaya Touré has admitted it will be tough for Manchester City to overturn Barcelona’s 2-1 lead in Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg – but insists City’s squad have the mentality to take on the task.
A 2-0 defeat of Luis Enrique’s side at the Camp Nou would take City through, though Touré understands a Barcelona led by the in-form Lionel Messi present a particularly daunting challenge.
“I hope City will win it,” the Ivorian said. “But I think it is always difficult to play against Barcelona when you have to run after the score. But in football anything can happen, we have our chance and they have their chance and we will see.”
Despite City’s faltering Premier League defence and Barça knocking them out at the same stage of the Champions League last year, Touré claimed Manuel Pellegrini’s team are a different proposition this season as they are mentally harder.
“We didn’t win then but I think this year is different – it is a different team, a different squad and a different mentality,” he told Nissan, the official automotive sponsor of the Uefa Champions League. “And if we want to go through, we will have to win it. We have the kind of player who is going to respond well.
“We have got a few fantastic players at City and I think it is a 50-50 game because they won [the first leg] 2-1,” said Touré, who missed the first leg due to suspension. “But if we want to go through, we need to get a good result, and I think it will be a good game.”
