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The Champions League holders have opted to thank the club's supporters for their loyalty and support in the past few seasons
Bayern Munich have agreed to subsidise the cost of ticket prices for fans supporting the team in action against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on February 19.
Arsenal are charging visiting fans €75 for the first leg of the round of 16 Champions League tie, but Bayern have announced that they will pay part of the entrance fee to reduce the price for their supporters to €45.
"Both in the past and in the current season, Bayern have impressed people not only with their good performances, but also with their enthusiastic fans," a statement on the club's official website reads.
"What really stands out is that a large part of the fans not only support Bayern during the absolute highlights, but try to attend each away game. It's clear that this dedication not only costs a lot of time, but money as well.
"Bayern have therefore decided to compensate the fans who attend the away game against Arsenal in order to thank you for the support throughout 2013."
Bayern have been allocated 2978 tickets for the away game against Arsenal, taking the total cost of the action to nearly €90.000.
Raul Garcia: Atletico can still challenge on all three fronts
By Craig Turnbull38
Jan 14, 2014 11:50:00 PM
The 27-year-old insists Diego Simeone's men have enough quality in their side to compete in La Liga, Champions League and the Copa del Rey
Raul Garcia believes Atletico Madrid have enough strength in depth to continue challenging on all three fronts this season.
Atletico have had a fantastic term so far: they have sealed their progression to the last 16 of the Champions League, had their best start to a La Liga campaign where they currently sit second and booked themselves a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey following a 3-1 aggregate victory over Valencia.
Injuries and suspensions could take their toll with the more games they are involved in, but Garcia is convinced they can cope with the pressure.
"We are still on the same path as before. We have enough depth in the squad to battle in three competitions which is what we are doing," he was quoted as saying by AS.
The midfielder's header was the clincher in a 2-0 win over Valencia in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday after Diego Godin has initially nodded in the opener.
Following the exertions of a demanding encounter against Barcelona on Saturday, Atletico somewhat struggled to lift themselves for los Che, but Garcia says they were made to work hard and believes teams will continue to make it difficult for Diego Simeone's men.
"Valencia are difficult opponents in spite of however they are doing in the league. In the end we prevailed and the result speaks for itself," he said.
“Yes, it’s fair to say that this was a demanding game for us. We have reached the level where we cannot lose any game and now, that’s what makes other teams want to beat us. But physically, the team is still strong."
Published: Wednesday 15 January 2014, 14.30CET
Following Clarence Seedorf's retirement, UEFA.com reflects on his unique achievements in the UEFA Champions League – a competition full of "unforgettable evenings".
by Berend Scholten
Clarence Seedorf (left) and his Ajax team-mates celebrate after the 1995 UEFA Champions League final against Milan
After Clarence Seedorf brought down the curtain on his playing career on Tuesday, it is time to reflect on the unique achievements of the former Netherlands midfielder. The only man to have won the UEFA Champions League with three different clubs – AFC Ajax, Real Madrid CF and AC Milan – Seedorf considers himself to have a special bond with Europe's premier club competition.
"Emotions, memories – more good ones than bad ones, fortunately," he said as he reflected on the competition. "But specifically great moments of entertainment … entertainment and great football, unforgettable evenings. I think that is what it's all about: experience, emotions, and the special touch that the Champions League brings on and off the field." UEFA.com remembers Seedorf's four UEFA Champions League triumphs.
1994/95: AFC Ajax
Seedorf made his first-team debut on 28 October 1992, coming on for current Ajax coach Frank de Boer in a cup match against VVV Venlo. He became the club's youngest Eredivisie debutant in November that year at the age of 16 years, seven months and 28 days, and soon became a crucial member of the golden generation. Guided by veterans Danny Blind and Frank Rijkaard, this was a youthful outfit that included future stars such as the De Boer twins, Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Jari Litmanen and Patrick Kluivert, and reached its peak in the 1994/95 UEFA Champions League.
Two 2-0 group stage victories against Milan boded well and Louis van Gaal's charges repeated the trick in the final, defeating the Rossoneri 1-0 courtesy of substitute Kluivert's late strike. "Everyone dreams of winning a European Cup final, and I was lucky to do so at just 19," said Seedorf. "As soon as I woke up [the day after the final] I felt different, strange, somehow special. We had a very talented young team, with a group of six or seven players who were the leaders of the squad. Some of us played together from very young and we felt like brothers."
1997/98: Real Madrid CF
Seedorf left Ajax after that glorious night in Vienna, spending a solitary season at UC Sampdoria prior to moving to the Spanish capital. He tasted European success in his second campaign with Madrid, helping the Merengues to overcome holders Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals. He then came up against former team-mate Davids in the decider against Juventus, held at their old stamping ground, the Amsterdam ArenA.
The showpiece was again settled by a solitary goal, Predrag Mijatović this time doing the damage midway through the second half to earn Madrid a first European Cup in 32 years. "It had become more than an obsession for the club," said Seedorf. "Every day we would go and eat in a restaurant and all everyone talked about was the final. Now I am going to have a party [in Amsterdam] and then again in Madrid!"
Clarence Seedorf with the trophy in 2007
The Dutch schemer joined FC Internazionale Milano in 2000 and only two years later moved to the Nerazzurri's city rivals. He again lifted Europe's biggest club prize in his first term at the club, helping Milan to defeat former employees Madrid in the group stage, Ajax in the last eight and Inter in the semi-finals.
Milan once more overcame the Bianconeri in the final, prevailing on penalties – Seedorf missed his – after a goalless draw at Old Trafford. "It's incredible, incredible," he said after that game. "I don't have any words. I am so, so happy. It has been a great spectacle for us, a great atmosphere, a great stadium."
There was still more to come. Runners-up in 2005, Seedorf and Carlo Ancelotti's side gained revenge with victory against Liverpool FC in the 2007 decider, Filippo Inzaghi scoring both goals. Seedorf started and was substituted in added time.
Barca vice president backs Champions League expansion
By Tim Hanlon
BARCELONA Mon Feb 3, 2014 6:03pm GMT
Barcelona's Vice-President of Economic and Strategy Area, Javier Faus i Santasusana smiles during an interview at Nou Camp stadium, in Barcelona, February 3, 2014. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino
(Reuters) - Barcelona vice president Javier Faus has called for the expansion of the Champions League as well as the reduction of national top flights by up to four clubs.
UEFA has considered increasing the size of the Champions League proper to 64 clubs from 32 clubs following demands from Europe's top sides, who see clear financial rewards of facing each other on a more regular basis.
While Atletico Madrid are bucking the trend as they lead La Liga, the growing distance between the rich and the poor in football has been particularly stark in Spain and there has been a lack of competition for Barca and Real Madrid.
"We want to see the Champions League expanded and at the same time national leagues should be reduced from 20 clubs down to 18 or even maybe 16," Faus told Reuters.
However, he believes having just one European league for the big clubs is a step too far.
"We are not in favour of national leagues being eliminated as they are at the centre of fans' hearts and I can't imagine that ever happening," he added.
Part of the reason for the disparity in Spanish football, where many clubs are heavily in debt and have been forced to sell their top players, is the share of television rights.
Unlike the English Premier League and other top divisions where there is collective bargaining, Spanish clubs are allowed to negotiate their own deals with Barcelona and Real Madrid taking home 50 percent of the money.
"It is something that will change. Barca are leading a group of 30 or so clubs that want to have television rights consolidated into a pool like in the UK or Germany so as to have a more balanced distribution and make the league more competitive," said Faus.
In the past, however, Barca have stated that they are not prepared to make financial concessions.
"It is something that would help us all but we shouldn't forget that the interest in Spanish football around the world is because of Barca and Real Madrid," he added.
"There will be a new distribution within the next year or two and we will have it in place by 2016.
"We are continuing to speak to other clubs, the league and the government. We are all on the same page, there are only a few differences."
MESSI DEAL
Faus and Lionel Messi clashed late last year, with the Argentina forward saying the vice president knew "nothing about football" following comments about the player not needing a new deal.
The pair have smoothed over their differences and Faus again sounded a different tune.
"In the coming days or months we will arrange a new deal with Lionel Messi," he said.
"He is the best player in the world and so he deserves to be treated that way and paid best."
Last month Sandro Rosell stood down as Barca president over a lack of clarity over Neymar's transfer deal last year. His successor Josep Bartomeu said the fee was 86.2 million euros (71.42 million pounds), rather than the 57.1 million previously stated, after including other payments to the player and his family.
While Barca continue to pay off their debt which now stands at 330 million euros and plan a Nou Camp revamp, Faus said they remain competitive in the transfer market and with player salaries despite being up against clubs owned by wealthy foreign investors.
"We are one of the last clubs owned by the fans and there are no millionaires, sheikhs or American tycoons behind us. It is difficult and challenging but we are trying to maintain it," he said.
"We have been on the same line for the past four or so years where we have 50 or 60 million euros to spend each season on transfers and we don't want to go beyond that.
"The challenge with sponsorship and marketing is not to lose your identity. It is one of our main concerns but at the same time we need to pay top players what they deserve."
The Brazil international missed Manchester City's Monday night loss to Chelsea and will be sidelined for up to four weeks, with Manuel Pellegrini lamenting his injury-hit squad
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho will miss “three or four weeks” with a muscle injury and is a doubt for the Champions League last-16 visit of Barcelona, Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed.
The Brazil international missed his side's 1-0 loss to Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night, which ended City's 100 per cent home record in the Premier League.
Pellegrini revealed the full extent of Fernandinho's injury and also defended his decision to field Martin Demichelis in midfield in the former Shakhtar Donetsk man's absence.
“Jack Rodwell is coming back from injury, [James] Milner’s just worked with us properly for the last day. I think that the only option I had was Demichelis in that position,” said the Chilean.
“Fernandinho has a muscle injury, we’ll see tomorrow how long he’ll be out for. I think it’ll be a matter of three or four weeks.
“This game was not a problem of the midfielders. I didn’t make the other two substitutions because I didn’t think we could change the game by doing that.
“For Chelsea it was an essential game. It was important because we could have been six points ahead but we’re just two points behind Arsenal in second.”
Pellegrini is currently having to contend with a host of injuries to first-team players, and admits the growing list of casualties – which now includes Fernandinho – contributed to their defeat.
“Well I think that of course Fernandinho is an important player for us,” the 60-year old continued.
“Not only him, you have to add [Sergio] Aguero, [Samir] Nasri and Javi Garcia – Milner was not 100% so he couldn’t start, Alvaro Negredo wasn’t 100% either.
“That’s too much of an advantage for an important team like Chelsea.
“We lost today against a good team who played well and I thought we deserved at least a draw but they had the luck to win it.
“They scored a beautiful goal, not an easy goal, he hit it from a long way out with the outside of his foot but before their goal we had clear chances to score, so I don’t there was a problem with the way we played.”
Manuel Pellegrini does not expect Sergio Aguero or Fernandinho to feature in Manchester City's clash with Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium.
City revealed that Aguero would be sidelined for a month after he sustained a hamstring injury in the 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham last week.
It was reported this week that the Argentina striker could return ahead of schedule and face Catalan giants Barca in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie on February 18.
Yet Pellegrini has played down those suggestions and is also preparing to be without midfielder Fernandinho, who missed Monday's defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League due to a muscle injury.
"Fernandinho is working with the physiotherapist. He will be at least 15 days more." said City manager Pellegrini at a press conference on Friday.
"It's difficult (for him to play against Barcelona). We will see in the next week but it is difficult.
"Aguero, the same thing. He's working with the physiotherapist. He's started running but he will not be available for Barcelona."
There is better news regarding midfielder Samir Nasri, who is due to return to training next week as he closes in on a return from a knee injury.
Pellegrini also expects Javi Garcia (knock) to be back in full training soon and although the duo will not face Sunderland next Wednesday, they could feature against Chelsea in the FA Cup three days later.
The Chilean said: “Samir Nasri is working well. I think that next week he will working with the squad as normal.
"He will not be fit for Wednesday, but maybe for Saturday. For Javi Garcia we hope the same."
FC Bayern München midfielder Franck Ribéry will miss next Wednesday's trip to Arsenal FC with a buttock injury after undergoing surgery on a burst blood vessel.
Ribéry underwent surgery last week on a burst blood vessel and while club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt says the French international is recovering well, the trip to north London comes too soon.
The 30-year-old will resume light training at the end of this week and gradually step it up, with the second instalment of Bayern's UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie with Arsenal FC on 11 March.
Laurent Blanc has ruled Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani out of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.
PSG travel to the BayArena for the first leg of the last-16 meeting as the defending Ligue 1 champions look to improve on last season's run to the quarter-finals.
Cavani sustained a thigh injury in the 2-0 win over Bordeaux late last month and has missed PSG's last two games.
And Blanc effectively confirmed that the Uruguay international will be unavailable for Friday's league game with Valenciennes and the duel with the Bundesliga outfit, tipping the former Napoli man for a return in the game against Toulouse a week on Saturday.
"Edinson Cavani follows his program and should return at the end of next week. All the signs are very good," Blanc said.
However, Cavani's strike partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic should be fit for both encounters, despite struggling with back problems over the past week.
"Zlatan Ibrahimovic has trained normally for two days without any problems," Blanc added. "He is fit to play and will probably play against Valenciennes."
Former France coach Blanc admitted that he may reshuffle his team ahead of the encounter with Leverkusen, but is keen to stay focused on overcoming a relegation-threatened Valenciennes side that has won three of their last six league games.
"I think it will be a different team from the one that played Monaco," Blanc added. "But to prepare for the Leverkusen match, it will not be a bad thing to play against Valenciennes on Friday.
"The second part of the season began in Brest (in the Coupe de France), it does not start against Leverkusen. The championship is important, we must win against Valenciennes tomorrow (Friday)."
The Argentine believes the AC Milan star can decide matches on his own and his display of emotion in the loss to Napoli last week was not a sign of weakness.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has warned his players not to underestimate AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli as his side prepare to face the Rossoneri in the Champions League round of 16.
The Italy interantional was pictured crying after being substituted in the 3-1 loss to Napoli last week but the Argentine insists the 23-year-old has the talent to decide a match single-handedly.
"Balotelli is a player who is in a position to win games by himself," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I don't think he is fragile, he's someone who just shows his feelings to others. For me, Milan are a strong team with a great club behind them who will try to do everything possible against us. We must be careful."
Simeone has led Atleti to a wave of success since taking charge of the club in late 2011 but refused to rule out coaching another of his former sides, Inter, in the future.
"It's true that Inter were good to me and I had a great adventure there," he continued.
"But I'd beat Milan mainly for Atletico. Right now I'm very happy here in Spain. In the future, we'll see if there's a chance I can coach Inter.
"I imagine the fans would appreciate me."
Milan and Atletico face each other at San Siro on February 19 before the second-leg clash in the Spanish capital on March 11.
Arsenal fans could boycott Bayern Munich Champions League clash after tickets priced at astounding £132
The Gunners' fans have voiced their displeasure at the rising prices to watch football at the Emirates after the Champions League tickets were priced at £62-£132
Jack de Menezes
Friday 14 February 2014
Arsenal fans could refuse to attend their biggest match of the season so far after the Premier League side priced their Champions League first-leg tie against Bayern Munich at a staggering £132.
The Gunners face the current European champions on Wednesday next week at the Emirates Stadium, and season-ticket holders will have to shell out between £62 and £132 if they want to see the hotly-anticipated encounter.
Arsenal already have the highest season-ticket prices in the Premier League, with the current fee set to increase again in the summer, much to the dismay of the Emirates regulars. Fans have protested against the rising prices, especially towards the end of last season when the side faltered in all competitions before securing a fourth-place finish on the final day of the season.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Arsenal season-ticket holder Steven Maxwell said: “I take no pleasure in doing this. It’s like fighting with a loved one. Arsenal are like a girlfriend who doesn’t love you back.”
Maxwell is one of a number who pay £1,995 for a gold-level ticket, and the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust spokesman admitted his concern over the rate that stands as the highest season-ticket price in world football.
The European teams that can still win the treble this season
“We are very concerned,” said Maxwell. “Season-ticket holders have already paid up to £2,000 in advance — the highest in world football. Their commitment deserves better. Arsenal’s grasping approach will have a detrimental effect on the noise in the ground, harming the team’s chances for an important game.
“Ivan Gazidis (Arsenal’s chief executive) promised that when commercial revenues rose it would reduce ticket price increases. To date, those are just empty words.”
The pricing is made all the more laughable after Bayern Munich announced they would subsidise every £62 ticket bought by an away fan by £24.60, with their season-tickets already priced at as little as £93.
Some areas of the crowd voiced their displeasure at the club’s recent drop in performance after such a promising start to the season, and while the boos may seem very premature given the Gunners are one point off Premier League leaders Chelsea, but the frustration stems from the fans paying such astronomical fees to see their side fail in the attempt to secure silverware.
With Wenger set to name a weakened side to face Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round clash on Sunday, Arsenal could quite easily see their trophy prospects go from three to one if they suffer a heavy defeat to Bayern like they did a year ago.
Published: Saturday 15 February 2014, 19.22CET
Clarence Seedorf talks to UEFA about his bow as a coach in the UEFA Champions League, AC Milan's "responsibility to youngsters" and "values on and off the field".
by Roberta Radaelli
Clarence Seedorf says "the DNA of AC Milan is something I have inside me" ahead of his UEFA Champions League coaching debut this week.
The only man to have won the competition with three different clubs as a player, Seedorf will have his first taste of the action from the dugout on Wednesday. The former Netherlands midfielder took the Rossoneri helm last month and is now preparing for a round of 16 tie against Club Atlético de Madrid, beginning at San Siro. His sights, though, are set far longer term than this season.
"Coming back to AC Milan was like I'd never been away actually; you know everybody, everybody knows you," the 37-year-old said. "Getting back was just like coming back after I'd been injured or on holiday. After ten years I think you get a sense of things and of course the president, [Silvio] Berlusconi, has always expressed the values he would like to see on the field and also off it.
"Those are values I definitely want to work on and want to impart to the group, because we have a responsibility, especially to the younger ones watching us: it's not only about winning, but about how we win; it's not only about competing, but about how you compete. It's a long journey but it has started now and I'm very happy to lead it from a technical point of view."
With Franck Ribéry already sidelined, FC Bayern München have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their trip to Arsenal FC after Xherdan Shaqiri picked up a thigh injury.
FC Bayern München coach Josep Guardiola faces a selection headache on Wednesday after Xherdan Shaqiri was ruled out of the trip to Arsenal FC with a thigh injury.
The Switzerland international scored twice in Saturday's 4-0 victory at home to SC Freiburg but was withdrawn after the hour mark with a thigh knock.
The injury means he will remain in Munich for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg alongside Franck Ribéry, the man whose role he occupied against Freiburg.
South American coaches add spice to Champions League
By Brian Homewood
BERNE Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:38am GMT
AC Milan's coach Clarence Seedorf (R) talks to Mario Balotelli during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Bologna at San Siro Stadium in Milan February 14, 2014. REUTERS/Giorgio Perottino
(Reuters) - After years of trying, South American coaches are finally gaining a foothold in European football and their growing influence will be heavily felt as the Champions League round of 16 gets under.
Three of the eight teams in action this week are coached by South Americans, AC Milan's Clarence Seedorf was born and ended his playing career on the continent and Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola said he was inspired by what he learned during a visit to Argentina.
Two of them meet in the week's top clash as Manchester City, coached by urbane Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, host Gerardo Martino's Barcelona on Tuesday.
"I have always been interested in Pellegrini's career both in Europe and before, when he was coaching in South America," said Argentine Martino, a surprise appointment by Barcelona before the start of the season
"He is one of the best coaches in the world. I feel very satisfied to be facing him in this tie."
Atletico Madrid, revitalised by former Argentina captain Diego Simeone, travel to AC Milan on Wednesday where they seem certain to give Seedorf a baptism of fire as he makes his coaching debut in a competition in which he was immensely successful as a player.
Guardiola's Bayern Munich visit Arsenal the same evening as the two sides meet at the same stage for the second season in a row.
Overall, the round of 16 has a familiar ring to it after a predictable group stage where the only major surprise was the elimination of Serie A champions Juventus.
Ten of the 16 teams reached the same stage last year and Manchester City are the only knockout phase debutants.
Predictably, the English Premier League and Bundesliga dominate with four teams apiece, while Spain's La Liga has three.
Bayer Leverkusen, second in the Bundesliga, host big-spending Paris St Germain in the other of this week's ties on Tuesday.
The remaining four first legs will all be played the following week with Olympiakos-Manchester United and Zenit St Petersburg-Borussia Dortmund on February 25 and Galatasaray-Chelsea and Schalke 04-Real Madrid on February 26.
TOUGH TRANSITION
South American players have long been hugely influential in European football but, until recently, coaches have struggled to adapt in the modern era even when they their records suggested they had all the right credentials.
Carlos Alberto Parreira lasted only a few months at Spanish club Valencia after leading Brazil to World Cup victory in 1994 while the hugely successful Boca Juniors and Velez Sarsfield coach Carlos Bianchi fared just as badly, with short spells at AS Roma and later Atletico Madrid.
Argentina's Ramon Diaz and Colombia's Francisco Maturana were others who failed to make it on the other side of the Atlantic.
The new generation has proved far more adaptable, although there is little connection between Pellegrini, Martino and Simeone who took very different routes to Europe.
Pellegrini, a qualified engineer and former Chile defender, coached five clubs in his homeland then worked in Ecuador and Argentina before carving out his reputation in a five-year spell at Spain's Villarreal, leading them to the Champions League semi-finals in 2006.
Martino, whose only major title as a coach was Argentina's Final championship with Newell's Old Boys last season, took an even more unlikely route, coaching modest clubs in Argentine and then Paraguay's Cerro Porteno and Libertad before making a positive impression during five years as coach of the Paraguay national team.
Martino is widely regarded as a disciple of former Argentina, Chile and Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa , who also inspired Guardiola when he visited Argentina before his hugely successful spell in charge of Barcelona.
Simeone, often describing as playing with a knife between his teeth, is a former Atletico Madrid player strongly identified with the club which he has revitalised since coming back as coach at the end of 2011.
Seedorf, his opposite number on Wednesday, was born in the former Dutch colony of Suriname and ended his career in Brazil with Botafogo, where he commanded enormous respect.
"The Brazilian league is very different and it gave me a lot to be able to face this new adventure," Seedorf, who won the Champions League four times as a player, told Milan's website (www.acmilan.com).
"My experience with Botafogo helped me to prepare for this new job," added Seedorf, who took over in January with the club in disarray..
"The match against Atletico will be a great chance to take a big step forward. We'll play our game since Milan always have something extra in the Champions League."
Schalke 04's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (L) celebrates after winning Bayer Leverkusen in their German first division Bundesliga soccer match in Leverkusen February 15, 2014. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski
(Reuters) - Bayer Leverkusen are confident their recent poor form will not stop them overcoming Zlatan Ibrahimovic-led Paris St Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Germany on Tuesday.
It will be the first time the sides have met in Europe and the Germans have an excellent home record against French opposition in European competition, winning four out of six matches.
Domestically, however, Leverkusen have struggled recently and have lost five of their last seven, including a shock home defeat by second-division side Kaiserslautern in the German Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Sami Hyypia's side played better despite losing 2-1 at the Bayer Arena to Schalke 04 on Saturday, although striker Stefan Kiessling is struggling to reclaim his touch in front of goal.
Kiessling, 30, scored two goals in six games in the Champions League group stage this season as Bayer finished second in Group A behind Manchester United.
"I'm very happy with the way my team played. It was very different from Wednesday's game," Hyypia told the club's website after Saturday's loss.
"The lads showed a lot of character. We can get a result on Tuesday if we play like that."
Bayer continue to sweat on the fitness of centre back Emir Spahic who was substituted in the 60th minute with a thigh injury and midfielder Emre Can will miss the match through suspension.
Spahic's absence could be a big blow to a side which conceded nine goals in two group matches against United and face the tough task of controlling Ibrahimovic.
IBRAHIMOVIC'S THREAT
With Edinson Cavani recovering from a thigh problem and expected to return before the end the month, the talismanic Swede will lead the attack.
Ibrahimovic, who scored a personal best eight goals in the group stage and has 19 league goals this campaign, said he was determined to help PSG win the Champions League - a feat he has not achieve despite playing for Barcelona, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Ajax.
"If we can get further than the quarter-finals this year it would be a big step for us. This project has been ongoing for two years and I've been here for one and a half - it is developing," he told UEFA.com.
"We have a team with a lot of potential and high quality and I think the collective part has grown a lot this year."
PSG are five points clear of second-placed Monaco in Ligue 1 and are cruising toward their first back-to-back titles, although coach Laurent Blanc said he wanted his side to covert more opportunities on goal.
"We create a big amount of chances but we have not converted enough in the past month and a half," Blanc told reporters after his side beat Valenciennes 3-0 in the league on Friday.
With Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lucas Moura and Javier Pastore all suffering from inconsistency this season, PSG will attempt to better last year's quarter-final appearance after Barcelona went through on away goals following two drawn matches.
The club's latest acquisition Yohan Cabaye has been added to PSG's Champions League squad and could feature in what would be his fifth appearance for the club since arriving from Newcastle in January.
The return leg will take place at the Parc des Princes on March 12.
(Reporting by Gregory Blachier; Editing by Mark Pangallo)
By Mike Collett
LONDON Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:42am GMT
Barcelona's players celebrate a goal near Rayo Vallecano's Raul Baena (R) during their Spanish first division soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona February 15, 2014. REUTERS-Albert Gea
(Reuters) - Free-scoring Manchester City will face the toughest test yet of their European credentials when they face European aristocrats Barcelona in the first leg of the standout tie of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday.
Both teams will start what promises to be a memorable duel at the Etihad Stadium boosted by superb wins on Saturday, with City returning to their best form in beating Chelsea 2-0 in the FA Cup and Barcelona crushing Rayo
Both were also boosted by the return of important players after injury.
Samir Nasri came on as a second-half substitute for City after missing seven games and scored City's second against Chelsea within minutes of his arrival while Neymar also returned as a substitute in the second half for the Spanish champions to score a stunning goal after four matches out to complete Barca's scoring.
Neymar is likely to be on the bench at the start on Tuesday, which may offer some relief for the home team, who will probably have to raise their already impressive game to even greater heights if they are to knock out the four-times European champions.
City coach Manuel Pellegrini is well aware of what Barca are capable of from his time with Villarreal, Malaga and Real Madrid in Spain, while City's free-ranging midfielder Yaya Toure spent three years at the Nou Camp and won every major honour with them, including the Champions League in 2009.
In an interview with Champions Magazine, Toure said he expected City to win the first leg to show how far the club have come since the injection of Sheikh Mansour's cash totally transformed them from domestic also-rans to potential European champions.
"Our fans deserve a victory against a big club to show how the club is progressing," he said. "Barcelona are a perfect example, a great club with an exceptional history with players who might currently be the best in the world, like Lionel Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Pique, Busquets.
"It will be a great match and we really have the desire to show City are on the right track."
City are in uncharted waters as far as the Champions League is concerned, having been knocked out at the group stage in their two previous appearances.
But they are the highest scoring team in this season's competition with 28 goals.
"Our experience from our defeats last year has made us more mature," Youre added.
"We have the players, the manager, but you also need to play against great teams to test your level."
City gave a hint of their growing strength with a 3-2 win away to champions Bayern Munich in the group stage, and they have scored 117 goals in all competitions this season.
PERFECT WARM-UP
The Spanish champions had the perfect warm-up on Saturday when Messi, who looks to be back to his best after returning in early January from a two-month injury layoff, scored twice to overtake Alfredo di Stefano in La Liga scoring history.
Messi's 228 goals in 263 games took him to joint third on the all-time list with Raul, behind Telmo Zarra (251) and Hugo Sanchez (234).
Messi has now scored 337 goals for Barcelona, a record for one club, but has only ever managed one for Barcelona in England - in the 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley.
As well as Messi having an outstanding game on Saturday, midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta turned in scintillating displays and in-form forwards Pedro and Alexis also scored as Barca totally overwhelmed second-from-bottom Rayo at the Nou Camp.
"The victory will help us build confidence for our next few matches, which are going to be very tough," Pedro told reporters.
"We have had some good performances this season but today was one of the best," the Spain international added.
"Tuesday's game against City will be very closely fought, we are both good teams."
Barcelona will also be seeking to end a run of five games in England other than the Wembley final without a win, but even a draw at City could well tip the tie in their favour ahead of the second leg in Barcelona on March 12.
'Very difficult' for injured Aguero to face Barcelona - Pellegrini
Feb 17, 2014 10:24:00 AM
The Manchester City striker is still suffering with a hamstring concern and remains a doubt for the Champions League clash, but there is more positive news on Fernandinho
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has again admitted Sergio Aguero is a major doubt to face Barcelona in the Champions League.
The striker has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since January 29, with an initial prognosis of a month on the sidelines.
Pellegrini was more upbeat last week, insisting Aguero and Fernandinho were close to a full recovery, but the Argentine is still a major doubt to for the last-16 first-leg clash.
"It's my opinion that for Aguero it is very difficult," Pellegrini told reporters.
"Fernandinho? Maybe if he worked with no problem and today he is 100 per cent fit - and if he does not have any fear about his injury - we will see if he can play.
"They have to be 100 per cent. If there is any risk of them being injured again, they won't play. We will talk to the doctor and see what happens."
Javi Garcia, meanwhile, returned from injury as City triumped over Chelsea to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, and Pellegrini is hoping the result can act as a springboard for both player and club.
"I think Javi played a superb game, in all senses - practical, technical," he said. "It’s not easy when you have just come back from injury after two or three weeks out.
"He is always an important option but at the moment I’m not thinking about what we’re doing on Tuesday. We will see how the players recover.
"I felt the team wanted revenge, not just against Chelsea, but also because of the Norwich game. I don’t think the team was fresh enough for those games, because they had played so many games in the previous two months."
Arsenal need two perfect games to beat Bayern Munich, says Mertesacker
By Chris Davie
Feb 17, 2014 10:00:00 AM
The defender admits the Gunners gave the German side too much respect when they met last season but hopes his team-mates have learned from that experience
Per Mertesacker believes Arsenal "need two perfect games" in order to knock Bayern Munich out of the Champions League.
Arsene Wenger's side host the reining European champions, who have lost just two games in all competitions this season, at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Arsenal were knocked out at the round-of-16 stage last term by Bayern and Mertesacker hopes his team-mates have learned from the manner of their exit from the competition.
"We have to go for two perfect games against them. We know we can beat them now, so maybe mentally we are in a better condition that last year," Mertesacker told reporters.
"We respected them too much in the first leg then, so it was too easy for them.
"Maybe we have learned something from those lessons and will do better this time.
"Now we have another chance - and an opportunity to beat the champions. We want to achieve something exceptional this season, so we have to beat the best.
"That is not only Manchester City and Chelsea. That is Bayern Munich in the Champions League."
Manchester City will be no walkovers, warns Zubizarreta
By Miles Chambers
Feb 17, 2014 11:27:00 AM
The former goalkeeper thinks that the Citizens will provide a real test on Tuesday and criticised fans who take football so seriously that they become violent
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta says he can see the club struggling to overcome Manchester City in the Champions League last 16.
The Premier League side - who have been in fine home form this season under Manuel Pellegrini - host the Catalans on Tuesday in the first leg before a return clash at Camp Nou in March.
The former Blaugrana goalkeeper thinks the reigning Spanish champions will be truly tested by Man City - though he says they have learned from last season's encounters with AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and their 7-0 aggregate humbling by Bayern Munich.
"These knockout games are complicated because after a while you have to get into competition and start worrying about the opponent," he is quoted by Marca as saying. "We'll have to work hard.
"We've learned from last year but it's worth bearing in mind that Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan were no walkovers. We know that Manchester City are going to require a lot of effort to beat."
Zubizarreta also condemned the mecherazo incident in which Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo was hit on the head with a lighter in the Atletico Madrid Copa del Rey clash, suggesting fans need to put football into perspective.
"We all have to remove the tension in the stadium, where it seems like every game is the end of the world," the Barca transfer chief added.
Manchester City-Barcelona Preview: First ever Champions League last-16 tie for hosts
Fresh from victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup, the hosts welcome the Liga giants to the Etihad Stadium, with Gerardo Martino's side in imperious form at the weekend
By Matthew Rogerson
Manchester City play their first Champions League knockout-stage tie on Tuesday against four-time European champions Barcelona.
In what is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated fixtures of the round of 16, Manuel Pellegrini's City welcome the Spanish champions to the Etihad Stadium for the first leg.
Both sides come into the game off the back of positive domestic results at the weekend, with City beating Premier League title rivals Chelsea 2-0 in the FA Cup, while Barcelona hit six past Rayo Vallecano without reply in La Liga.
With both teams firmly in contention for their respective domestic titles, City will be particularly buoyed by their impressive form in this season's Champions League, which saw them accumulate more points than Gerardo Martino's men in the group stage.
Despite finishing second in Group D behind holders Bayern Munich, City were able to beat the German champions and finish on 15 points - two more than Barca gained in Group H.
Pellegrini's side have failed to win just two of their 20 home games in all competitions this season and have conceded only 18 times in that run.
City have scored at least four goals in 12 of those matches, with former Barca midfielder Yaya Toure enjoying his more advanced role under Pellegrini.
"At Barcelona it was my job to hold and organise. It was all about being focused and never losing concentration. Now I can drop into defence or join the attack," he told Uefa.com.
"I was limited to playing in the middle at Barcelona. I like playing in England because it's an open league and very fast-paced.
"The first two campaigns were difficult, but now everything is going well."
Despite City making the most of home comforts so far this season, Barca are likely to offer Pellegrini's charges a stern test when they visit, having reached at least the semi-final stage on their last six attempts.
Even with a draw against Milan and defeat to Ajax in the group stage, Barca topped their group by four points and remain on course for a treble - having already booked their place in the Copa del Rey final.
With Tuesday's opponents having averaged three goals a game during their group campaign, Martino remains confident in his side after Saturday's comprehensive victory over Rayo.
"We're on form coming into the match against City, this is the perfect moment to try to qualify for the quarter-finals," he told Barca's official website.
"Most of the players are playing really well."
Sergio Aguero is likely to miss out for City but Fernandinho could return, while Martino has no injury concerns.
