Barcelona’s attacking full-back Dani Alves has revealed he had never heard of Manchester City until five years ago.

Barca travel to Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening to face Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who will be featuring in the knockout phase of the Champions League for the first time in their history.

And speaking ahead of the last-16 tie, Alves admitted he only acknowledged the Premier League title-chasers’ existence in the wake of their rapid, financially-backed emergence in recent seasons.

“I didn't realise until about five years ago that Manchester had two teams,” he said.

“Of course Manchester United have been one of the most famous and successful clubs in Europe for many years - but I thought they were the only one.

“When Manchester City got new owners and started buying some of the best players in Europe everybody knew who they were - but until then I must be honest I didn't know about them.

“I think this is the reality of modern football. You don't need ten or 20 years to establish yourself - if you have rich owners you can do it in two or three years. It doesn't matter if I or anybody else agree with it - it is just the reality of today.”

Champions League: How every team in the last 16 will line up 16 show all Champions League: How every team in the last 16 will line up 1/16 AC Milan The cash-strapped Rossoneri have suffered from a real exodus of talent in recent years, but in Mario Balotelli they have one of Europe's most talented strikers. Brazilians Kaka and Robinho are past their prime but can unlock any defence with their passing. 2/16 Arsenal Arsene Wenger always likes his teams to play on the front foot, retaining possession of the ball for long periods. However, against Guardiola's Bayern Munich he may look for a more pragmatic display. A performance similar to that against Dortmund away in this year’s group stage – disciplined at the back and incisive on the counter – might be most effective against a Bayern side set up to slaughter defensively-weak opponents. The energy and pace of Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be vital. 3/16 Atletico Madrid Coveted by several European clubs, Atletico’s Brazilian forward Diego Costa is the real danger man after scoring four goals in the group stages. Diego Simeone’s side have punched above their weight in Spanish football this year thanks to their effective counter-attacking and enterprising wide play. 4/16 Barcelona It would have been bold, perhaps even foolish, for Gerardo Martino to try to reinvent the best passing team in the world when he arrived as manager. And he hasn’t – they’re still a hugely patient, possession-focused side, who press tirelessly when they haven't got the ball. However, their vulnerability at the back, especially from set-pieces, should be heeded by Manchester City. 5/16 Bayern Munich Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola has instilled his passing ideals into this Bayern side, while still retaining the force going forward that was apparent under Jupp Heynckes. Philipp Lahm, a world-class full back, has been a revelation in midfield. Although they are missing star man Franck Ribery, this is one efficient unit and Guardiola’s side will likely adopt a pressing, attacking approach at Arsenal. 6/16 Bayer Leverkusen For Leverkusen, the strength will come from the middle of the park. Lars Bender will probably be paired up with the club’s top European scorer this season, Simon Rolfes, in midfield, with the possible addition of Stefan Reinartz forming a solid trio. On the wings, Son Heung-Min and Gonzalo Castro can be dangerous, but the biggest task against PSG will be at the back: stopping Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 7/16 Borussia Dortmund Last season’s Champions League finalists are going through something of an injury crisis. A whole host of big name players – including Marco Reus, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Mats Hummels – are currently missing. However, hitmen Robert Lewandowksi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are still involved among others, meaning Dortmund can play their high-tempo, counter-attacking style. 8/16 Chelsea Jose Mourinho has come under fire in the past for his supposedly defensive approach, and while it is true that Chelsea are solid at the back, they can be excellent going forward too. The attacking midfielders; Willian, Oscar and Eden Hazard have sparkled in recent weeks and should do well against Galatasaray. The Blues’ failure to find a consistent central striker will still be a worry going forward for Mourinho. 9/16 Galatasary It won't come as a surprise to Chelsea fans that Didier Drogba poses the biggest threat to their ambitions in the Champions League. The Ivorian remains an accomplished target man for a direct approach, whilst Wesley Sneijder's vision and technique are not to be underestimated. Yilmaz and Bulut can cause problems when cutting in from wide areas. 10/16 Manchester City With such potent and diverse attacking options, it’s understandable that Manuel Pellegrini has favoured playing two up-front this season. But this can leave his team a man short in midfield and could be painfully apparent against a highly efficient Barcelona midfield. The aerial prowess of striker Dzeko could prove to be his best weapon against the Catalans. 11/16 Manchester United As was made quite clear in Manchester United’s recent Premier League clash with Fulham, in which United fired in 81 crosses, David Moyes’ side like playing down the wings. But the Fulham game also highlighted the tactic’s pitfalls, so there may well be a change of plan against Olympiakos. The cup-tied Juan Mata will be a big miss for United, but might allow Wayne Rooney to thrive in the No10 role. 12/16 Olympiakos Although the dominant force in Greek football, Olympiakos are probably the weakest side in the last 16. That being said, they do have some quality players with the likes of Vladimir Weiss and Javier Saviola. The loss of striker Kostas Mitroglou will be a big blow to their chances against Manchester United. 13/16 Paris Saint-Germain Adept at keeping possession, PSG will probably look to press Milan high up the pitch. Zlatan Ibrahimovic provides the greatest threat after scoring eight goals in five games in the group stages, but with the likes of Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura around there is a threat to Leverkusen from almost every part of the pitch. Verratti offers craft in midfield while Matuidi is an energetic box to box midfielder. Formidable. 14/16 Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are one of the most dangerous teams in this year’s tournament. Midfield pair Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric are experts at keeping possession while still maintaining a high tempo and up top, there is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been enjoying his best Champions League campaign yet. The argument over who should start between Jese and Gareth Bale – or, if they should both start – is an interesting sub-plot. 15/16 Schalke Schalke have quality in the final third with Klaas Jan Huntelaar, and the possibility of a returning Julian Draxler, who could both damage Real Madrid on their day. The Spanish giants have a poor record in Germany which could be cause for optimism for the unfancied Germans. 16/16 Zenit St Petersburg Luciano Spalletti's side scraped through the group stages and will be desperate to make the most of the chance they have been given to progress past the first knockout round. Against a Dortmund side that favours the counter attack, Zenit will be hoping to play their usual possession football with the likes of Hulk and Axel Witsel looking set to make an impact. 1/16 AC Milan The cash-strapped Rossoneri have suffered from a real exodus of talent in recent years, but in Mario Balotelli they have one of Europe's most talented strikers. Brazilians Kaka and Robinho are past their prime but can unlock any defence with their passing. 2/16 Arsenal Arsene Wenger always likes his teams to play on the front foot, retaining possession of the ball for long periods. However, against Guardiola's Bayern Munich he may look for a more pragmatic display. A performance similar to that against Dortmund away in this year’s group stage – disciplined at the back and incisive on the counter – might be most effective against a Bayern side set up to slaughter defensively-weak opponents. The energy and pace of Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be vital. 3/16 Atletico Madrid Coveted by several European clubs, Atletico’s Brazilian forward Diego Costa is the real danger man after scoring four goals in the group stages. Diego Simeone’s side have punched above their weight in Spanish football this year thanks to their effective counter-attacking and enterprising wide play. 4/16 Barcelona It would have been bold, perhaps even foolish, for Gerardo Martino to try to reinvent the best passing team in the world when he arrived as manager. And he hasn’t – they’re still a hugely patient, possession-focused side, who press tirelessly when they haven't got the ball. However, their vulnerability at the back, especially from set-pieces, should be heeded by Manchester City. 5/16 Bayern Munich Unsurprisingly, Pep Guardiola has instilled his passing ideals into this Bayern side, while still retaining the force going forward that was apparent under Jupp Heynckes. Philipp Lahm, a world-class full back, has been a revelation in midfield. Although they are missing star man Franck Ribery, this is one efficient unit and Guardiola’s side will likely adopt a pressing, attacking approach at Arsenal. 6/16 Bayer Leverkusen For Leverkusen, the strength will come from the middle of the park. Lars Bender will probably be paired up with the club’s top European scorer this season, Simon Rolfes, in midfield, with the possible addition of Stefan Reinartz forming a solid trio. On the wings, Son Heung-Min and Gonzalo Castro can be dangerous, but the biggest task against PSG will be at the back: stopping Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 7/16 Borussia Dortmund Last season’s Champions League finalists are going through something of an injury crisis. A whole host of big name players – including Marco Reus, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Mats Hummels – are currently missing. However, hitmen Robert Lewandowksi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are still involved among others, meaning Dortmund can play their high-tempo, counter-attacking style. 8/16 Chelsea Jose Mourinho has come under fire in the past for his supposedly defensive approach, and while it is true that Chelsea are solid at the back, they can be excellent going forward too. The attacking midfielders; Willian, Oscar and Eden Hazard have sparkled in recent weeks and should do well against Galatasaray. The Blues’ failure to find a consistent central striker will still be a worry going forward for Mourinho. 9/16 Galatasary It won't come as a surprise to Chelsea fans that Didier Drogba poses the biggest threat to their ambitions in the Champions League. The Ivorian remains an accomplished target man for a direct approach, whilst Wesley Sneijder's vision and technique are not to be underestimated. Yilmaz and Bulut can cause problems when cutting in from wide areas. 10/16 Manchester City With such potent and diverse attacking options, it’s understandable that Manuel Pellegrini has favoured playing two up-front this season. But this can leave his team a man short in midfield and could be painfully apparent against a highly efficient Barcelona midfield. The aerial prowess of striker Dzeko could prove to be his best weapon against the Catalans. 11/16 Manchester United As was made quite clear in Manchester United’s recent Premier League clash with Fulham, in which United fired in 81 crosses, David Moyes’ side like playing down the wings. But the Fulham game also highlighted the tactic’s pitfalls, so there may well be a change of plan against Olympiakos. The cup-tied Juan Mata will be a big miss for United, but might allow Wayne Rooney to thrive in the No10 role. 12/16 Olympiakos Although the dominant force in Greek football, Olympiakos are probably the weakest side in the last 16. That being said, they do have some quality players with the likes of Vladimir Weiss and Javier Saviola. The loss of striker Kostas Mitroglou will be a big blow to their chances against Manchester United. 13/16 Paris Saint-Germain Adept at keeping possession, PSG will probably look to press Milan high up the pitch. Zlatan Ibrahimovic provides the greatest threat after scoring eight goals in five games in the group stages, but with the likes of Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura around there is a threat to Leverkusen from almost every part of the pitch. Verratti offers craft in midfield while Matuidi is an energetic box to box midfielder. Formidable. 14/16 Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are one of the most dangerous teams in this year’s tournament. Midfield pair Xabi Alonso and Luka Modric are experts at keeping possession while still maintaining a high tempo and up top, there is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been enjoying his best Champions League campaign yet. The argument over who should start between Jese and Gareth Bale – or, if they should both start – is an interesting sub-plot. 15/16 Schalke Schalke have quality in the final third with Klaas Jan Huntelaar, and the possibility of a returning Julian Draxler, who could both damage Real Madrid on their day. The Spanish giants have a poor record in Germany which could be cause for optimism for the unfancied Germans. 16/16 Zenit St Petersburg Luciano Spalletti's side scraped through the group stages and will be desperate to make the most of the chance they have been given to progress past the first knockout round. Against a Dortmund side that favours the counter attack, Zenit will be hoping to play their usual possession football with the likes of Hulk and Axel Witsel looking set to make an impact.

Despite his ignorance, the Barcelona man insisted his team-mates must respect the threat City pose.

Indeed, Pellegrini’s men are Europe’s leading scorers with 117 goals across all competitions but Alves and his team-mates are bidding to suppress their ruthless offensive threat.

He said: “We have to give Manchester City total respect because they have so many great players.

“They have shown as an attacking force they are very strong - and their midfield and forward players have been scoring a lot of goals.

“We need to make sure that doesn't happen on Tuesday - and we have a very experienced defence capable of stopping them.

“We know at home they are very strong - but nobody in Barcelona is thinking of a draw - that would compromise everything that we stand for. We must acknowledge they are a very strong team - but our objective will be what it always is and that is to win."

