FINAL BEFORE THE FINAL FOR CITY AND REAL

MANCHESTER CITY will resume battle with Real Madrid in what has been billed as a Champions League final.

- BY TOM CANTON

In a last-16 draw of blockbusters - including Newcastle going up against Barcelona and Chelsea meeting holders Paris St-Germain ~ City versus Real is a seismic showdown.

City director of football Hugo Viana claims it is worthy of being the final.

He said: “Its a big game for both teams. It's like a final, we are happy to go there again. It's too soon to speak about the final — we should think game by game. Now we have a strong opener to face.”

The European giants have produced epic battles in recent seasons.