Champions League: Perfect start but no priority for Pellegrini
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MANCHESTER CITY 3
MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini was delighted with the start his side made to their Champions League campaign, but insists their pursuit of the trophy will not take priority over winning the Premier League title this season.
Second half goals from Edin Dzeko, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero earned City a comfortable win in the Czech Republic.
But Pellegrini insists there has been no instruction from the club’s board to make the Champions League their primary focus.
“We know the Champions League is very difficult. There aren’t any easy games, the players know that and we try to do our best,” he said.
“We don’t have a priority, all of us know Manchester City didn’t play well in the last Champions League, but the Premier League is also very important for us and we’ll try to make both our priority.
“Winning away in the Champions League is very important and it is important to have another clean sheet and to score three goals.”
After Aguero hit the post in a goalless first half City finally moved in front on 48 minutes when Dzeko finished low from 18 yards.
Five minutes later Toure sent a spectacular 25-yard strike across goal and into goalkeeper Matus Kozacik’s top left-hand corner.
And the visitors completed the rout on 58 minutes when Aguero picked the ball up with his back to goal and finished low on the turn from 16 yards.