Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has given Manchester City a chance of toppling the "worst Barcelona side in many, many years" when they meet in the Champions League.
The Catalan giants, for whom Mourinho worked as an assistant manager between 1996 and 2000, visit City on Tuesday evening for the first leg of their last-16 tie.
The Spanish outfit, who have won Europe's biggest club competition twice in the last six years, are top of La Liga and have lost only three matches this season, but Mourinho feels that Chelsea's rivals for the Premier League title can overcome what he feels is the weakest Barca team in some time.
"Of course, by history, Barcelona is the favourite, but this Barcelona, this season, is showing that it is not the same in previous years," he told ITV Sport.
"Of course they have Messi, he is special, and they have more than him. But I think this is the worst Barcelona of many, many years - so City have a chance."
Chelsea visit Galatasaray for the first round of the Champions League knockout stages next Wednesday.
Joe Fish
