Manuel Pellegrini: 'I don't fear Barcelona'

Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that he does not fear Barcelona, and believes that Manchester City must get used to playing against "important teams".

City welcome the Spanish giants to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

"It's good for the fans, it's good for everyone. I love football, I love good matches," the Chilean manager is quoted as saying in The Guardian.

"I don't have any fear about playing Barcelona, because this team has got to continue to develop the mentality to play against important, important teams, whether that's in the last 16, the quarter-final.

"I hope we see a very good match on Tuesday and I hope we can win at home."

Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 6-0 on Saturday.