Barca must forget Malaga meltdown for City clash

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has said his side must put their shock 1-0 defeat to Malaga behind them as soon as possible with a huge Champions League clash against Manchester City to come on Tuesday.
Juanmi pounced on an error from Dani Alves to score the only goal of the game at the Camp Nou on Saturday as Barca's impressive 11-game winning streak was brought to a crashing end.
The Catalans remain a point behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, but could see the European champions extend their advantage to four points when they travel to Elche on Sunday.
"Defeats are harmful when you suffer them and they're hard to get over. We have a big challenge in three days and we will try to overcome it," said Enrique.
It is the second time this season that Enrique's men have been stunned at home after also losing 1-0 to Celta Vigo back in November.
However, unlike on that occasion when bad luck and an inspired goalkeeping performance by Sergio Alvarez denied Barca, Enrique admitted Malaga had been deserved winners on the day.
"We're used to these kind of games. I'd like it to be an accident but it is becoming habit, the opposition close up and we can't find a way through," he said.
"These kind of results are sometimes a good reminder that other sides have their qualities. You could consider this a deserved defeat."
Malaga's well-organised defence also frustrated Barca in a 0-0 draw earlier in the season meaning they become the first team since Getafe in the 2007/08 season to keep Barca scoreless over two games in La Liga.
The four-time European champions dismissed City 4-1 on aggregate at the same stage of the competition last season and have since added the Premier League's top-scorer last season in Luis Suarez to a star frontline including Lionel Messi and Neymar.
And defender Gerard Pique is hoping a more open game will suit the visitors at the Etihad stadium on Tuesday.
"It is one of the games of the year, the most important until now. They will try to attack us and that suits us. It is been proven we know how to counter-attack."
Defeat also meant Barca blew the chance to move to the top of the table for the first time since November.
However, Enrique refused to write off their title chances with Madrid still having to visit the Camp Nou on March 22.
"The champion will be the one at the end of the season with the most points and we've still to see who that will be. There is still a long way to go."
Source: AFP