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MANCHESTER, England -- As Champions League rallying cries go, Gerard Pique struck an unusually downbeat tone for a Barcelona player. Particularly when speaking in the stadium of Tuesdays opponent: Manchester City. "Maybe they dont fear us as before," Pique said on Monday, "because in the last two years we didnt win the Champions League." Uncertainty is seeping into the squad that was previously lauded as the greatest-ever, having won the Champions League three times since 2006. And it is showing as the round of 16 begins. Such pessimism, though, seems at odds with Barcas current outlook. The team is already through to the domestic cup final and top of the Spanish standings, albeit only on goal difference in a three-way tussle with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, while Lionel Messi has 10 goals in 10 games since returning from a two-month injury layoff. "We are a team with a lot of players who won the World Cup (with Spain), the Champions League, leagues," said Pique, a former defender at Citys rival, Manchester United. "We can still be the best, but we have to show the world we can do it. Tomorrow is a great chance." It is also a chance to shift the attention away from Barcas most damaging crisis in years. Club president Sandro Rosell abruptly quit last month as he fights a lawsuit alleging he misappropriated funds by hiding the real cost of the signing of Brazil striker Neymar with false contracts. The saga has taken some of the sheen of footballing perfection off a Catalan football institution that is owned by its members and prides itself as being "more than a club." "We know within the club maybe in the last six months there were some things that we could not control (as) the players," Pique said. "All we can do is tomorrow on the pitch show the world we can still be the best." Their opponents, seen by some pundits as a "Mini-Barcelona," are on a turbo-charged mission -- funded by Abu Dhabi -- to become a global force. Not only is Citys board room populated by former Camp Nou executives, but the team attempts to play with similar stylish, short-passing moves. "City is one of the greatest teams in the world right now," coach Gerardo Martino said through a translator. "They are very similar to us, maybe they are a bit more direct but they have good possession ... if we dont have the ball its just pointless to turn up." Perhaps, thats not what the visiting fans want to hear. Losing over two legs would be hard for Martino to take, given the four-time European champions are taking on a team in its first knockout phase, and is third in the Premier League. "For the last six seasons, Barcelona has made it to the semifinals and the fans are used to that," Martino said. "It would be difficult to understand that we didnt go through." Michael Jordan Jersey . 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Bradley Beal Jersey . -- The way Ted Ligety carved into turns looked so easy.Johanna Konta missed out on a second WTA singles title of the year after being beaten in straight sets by Agnieszka Radwanska in the final of the China Open in Beijing on Sunday. Radwanska won the event for the second time in her career with a 6-4 6-2 triumph over the British No 1 in 95 minutes.Despite the defeat, Konta will become the first British woman since Jo Durie in 1984 to enter the top 10 in the world when the rankings are updated on Monday. Murray powers to title Andy Murray defeated Grigor Dimitrov to win the China Open Im very pleased with this week, said Konta, who won her first title at the Stanford Classic in July. Im very pleased with my progress over the last few years and hopefully there are still many places to climb.But as of now, Im really enjoying my journey and really enjoying working hard and really working towards playing matches like these against players like Agnieszka. Hopefully, I will have many more in the future. Konta (left) and Agnieszka Radwanska with their trophies Konta got off to a poor start by falling two breaks and 5-2 down in the opening set, but she then fought back to 5-4 and had a break point to level the match.Howeever, a smash into the net let Radwanska off the hook and the world No 3 went on to close out the set.dddddddddddd Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Konta safely held her first service game of the second set but was broken in her next two and, this time, was unable to mount a recovery.Its a very special moment, said Radwanska, who became the first woman to win the title twice. Its my third final and second title here, so its a big day. That was a really special week for me and it couldnt have been any better. I played great tennis. Radwanska claimed her 20th WTA singles title By reaching the China Open final, Konta also moved into the top eight of the Road to Singapore, the race to reach the WTA Finals from October 23-30.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh and plus Premier League football on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Konta into top 10 after win Setback for Roland Garros plans Murray brushes aside Ferrer Murray wins battle of Britain Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys discount uswnt jersey Wholesale AC Milan Jerseys Wholesale Arsenal Jerseys Wholesale A.S. 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