Yaya Toure: If we beat Barcelona, we can get to the final, says Manchester City midfielder

Ivorian midfielder confident Barcelona will be their biggest obstacle

Tom Sheen
Monday 23 February 2015 14:05 GMT
Comments
(Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Manchester city midfielder Yaya Toure believes Barcelona will be the biggest obstacle to his team reaching the Champions League final this season.

Toure is suspended for the first leg as his current team face his former team for the second year in a row. But unlike last season, when Manchester City had a player sent off in each leg as they lost 4-1 on aggregate Toure is confident his team has picked up a few things that will be useful on Tuesday night.

"If there is a team that is difficult to learn how to beat its Barcelona; I am a former Barca player, you can trust me on that," said Toure, speaking as a Nisssan ambassador."

But there are a few things we have learnt that will be useful this time."

Toure pointed to Lionel Messi, "of course", as the player City will have to pay particular attention to, but believes his side are capable of reaching the final in Berlin.

"Barcelona and Real Madrid [will be main rivals]. If we manage to beat Barcelona we can go all the way to the final."

Toure returned from a victorious African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast last week, and promptly inspired City to their best performance since he left the squad.

The midfielder was excellent as Manuel Pellegrini's team thrashed Newcastle 5-0; City had won just one, drawn three and lost two of the six matches they played in Toure's absence.

Toure was speaking to Nissan, the official automotive sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, as part of his role as the car manufacturer’s global ambassador.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in