Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard has expressed his belief that Barcelona's current crop of players are close to matching the brilliance of their side from four years ago.

The Spanish giants have gone through a transition phase in the last two seasons, with the likes of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic now at the club.

The Catalan side have recently enjoyed a run of 11 straight wins, and Lampard is convinced that they are now the finished article as he prepares to face them tonight in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League.

He told reporters: "I think we're all gushing about the team that they had. I think they were at their absolute best when [Lionel] Messi, David Villa, [Andres] Iniesta and Xavi were absolutely flying.

"It is a slightly new team as a bit of a transition has happened, but I think in recent games they have been getting up to those sort of levels again. We are going to be facing a really strong team with individuals including, for me, the greatest player in the world in Lionel Messi."

Barca beat City at the same stage of the competition last year.