Neither Barcelona or Manchester City could break the deadlock in the first half of their Champions League last-16 second leg at the Camp Nou this evening.
The hosts were the first to have a decent sight of goal when Lionel Messi drove into the box and created space to shoot, but Joe Hart was equal to the effort while Vincent Kompany completed the clearance.
Barca thought that they had taken the lead in the 19th minute when Neymar put the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was controversially ruled out for offside against Jordi Alba.
City had half a chance to get a crucial opening goal just eight minutes before the break as Yaya Toure found David Silva, but the Spaniard could only curl his effort high and wide.
The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock five minutes before half time when Neymar went past Aleksandar Kolarov only to drive an effort into the side-netting.
Moments later, Barcelona came close again as Xavi had a chance from close range, but Hart was on hand to pull off a vital stop to deny the midfielder.
City's best chance of the half came just three minutes later when Silva flicked the ball into the path of Samir Nasri, whose shot was straight at Victor Valdes.
Barcelona then almost broke the deadlock at the other end on the stroke of half time when Neymar curled an effort towards the top corner, only for Fernandinho to make a vital clearance off the line.
The visitors will now need to score two second-half goals without reply just to force extra time after the Spanish giants' 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium last month.
Barney Corkhill
