 |
| Manuel Pellegrini believes Man City can make a statement with a win against Juventus |
MANUEL PELLEGRINI has told his shell-shocked Manchester City stars to make amends for their weekend horror show - by sending out a statement here that they are the real deal in the Champions League.
Although City have already qualified for the knock-out stages, tonight’s game against Juventus has gained greater significance following the 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool.
And Pellegrini stressed the three-pronged major benefit of achieving victory over the Italian champions.
Firstly, it would underline his belief that Saturday’s embarrassment was “a fake” result - a one-off, a bad day at the office.
Secondly, it would clinch top spot in Group D with a game to spare and, hopefully mean an easier draw in the last 16.
 |
| Man City players look dejected during their defeat to Liverpool |
And thirdly, it would embellish City’s growing stature as a European force, having beaten Bayern Munich away two years ago, Roma away last season and Seville on their own turf earlier this month.
Pellegrini said: “We played a very bad game [against Liverpool] but that [inquest] finished [in training] on Sunday morning.
“A lot of things went wrong but it doesn’t matter to analyse at this moment. It was a fake game and it more important to think about the future and have our minds on the next game.
“This is a different competition and a different game and we hope to return to our normal performance.
“Everyone criticised this club for our performances in Europe but we have now qualified for the knock out stages for the third year in a row.
"We were unlucky on both the preivous occasions to draw Barcelona in the round of 16 so it’s important to try to avoid them because it’s important for our club to reach at least one step more.
“If we finish top of the group it doesn’t mean we’re going to have an easy draw, it depends on a lot of different things, but if we avoid teams like Barcelona it will be important for our team.
“It is also a test to win in a difficult stadium like Turin and against a team with the quality of Juventus. They have won Serie A four years in a row and reached the Champions League final last season.
 |
| Man City lost 2-1 to Juventus in the reverse fixture in September |
"We played a close game at the Etihad and were unlucky to lose that game. We need to play the same way we did against Sevilla in our last game.
“We have more experience [of the competition] now than we have had in the other years.”
Sergio Aguero, whose scoring return after a seven-game absence with a hamstring injury was the one bright spot on Saturday, is vital to City’s cause and Pellegrini admitted he will treat the Argentina striker with kid gloves with City facing nine games between now and the end of the year.
Aguero has had eight different hamstring injuries since joining City in 2011 and on 23 occasions has missed games through injury or illness.
Pellegrini added: “Maybe Sergio has special muscles in the way he plays but you cannot change that. He problem is not just with Sergio.
"An important number of players have injuries in this part of the season and we have to play so many games. We must manage the minutes not just with Sergio but with all the players.
“Without doubt we are a better team with Sergio so if you want to arrive in an important stage of the Champions League or other competitions of course we need Sergio fit. If he can play it is better for us.”
Midfielder Fabian Delph is set to make his first start for City - four months after his controversial move from Aston Villa as Pellegrini shakes up his side.
Delph – who has had two serious hamstrings injuries - Fernandinho, Nicolas Otamendi are all in line for recalls but City are still without Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Wilfried Bony and Samir Nasri.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus