Barcelona's Dani Alves celebrates after scoring Barcelona's second goal against Manchester City during their Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England February 18, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

DANGEROUS OPPONENT

Their coach Gerardo Martino said he was delighted with the win but was not taking anything for granted for the return.

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"I am not so confident yet for the second leg. Our intention was to win and I think it's a fair result.

"But when we allowed City to have the advantage for 10 minutes in the first half and 10 in the second they made it risky for us.

"We have had a good away win and now we have to repeat the performance at home. But City lost at home to Bayern Munich in the group stage and then won away. They are a very dangerous opponent."

City had few chances, with the best falling to David Silva in the 77th minute when he chested the ball down and then volleyed at Victor Valdes who saved well.

But on the whole Barcelona silenced the home fans and blunted City's attacks which were few and far between.

The two sides, who had scored 228 times between them this season heading into the game, failed to produce the goalfest that many expected.

However, the estimated global audience of 250 million would have enjoyed seeing Barca reproducing their trademark passing game and winning after a relatively tricky season by their own exalted standards.

"People have been saying this is not the same Barcelona of previous years but we've got a great a result tonight and we've proved a point to some people," Barca midfielder Cesc Fabregas said.

"We are not there yet, though. They are a good team and we still have to work hard to get through."

The balance tipped Barca's way with Demichelis's dismissal, which will keep him out of the second leg at the Nou Camp.

The defender appeared to have fouled Messi outside the area but Eriksson had no doubt, pointing to the spot, and showed Demichelis a red card, allowing Messi to stroke the ball past Hart to put the visitors ahead.

"Two-nil is very tough on us. When it was 11 versus 11 we were in the game but with a man less and with their individual quality which is so high it was very hard," Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany told ITV.

"If they play as they can in the second leg it will be very hard but we still have a chance."