City only team in Manchester, says Pellegrini
MANCHESTER City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed rivals Manchester United as a realistic threat, claiming his team have become the only club in the city.
Barcelona, dubbed “the most important club in the world” by Pellegrini, visit the Etihad Stadium tonight in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash, as City’s bid to win an unprecedented four trophies this season continues.
By contrast, United have struggled to keep to traditionally high standards. They trail Premier League leaders Chelsea by 15 points and Pellegrini believes the balance of power has shifted in the north-west.
“If we only consider this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it’s ours, but you cannot forget what United has done in the previous years,” he said.
“We are aiming to keep growing by winning many trophies, not just national but international trophies. We are fighting for four titles this year.”
City have taken one point from their last two Premier League games, but looked to have overcome their dip in form in Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round victory over Chelsea.
Their brief stutter coincided with the absence of midfielder Fernandinho through injury, but the Brazilian is available for City’s first ever competitive meeting with Barcelona. Versatile midfielder James Milner is suspended, while striker Sergio Aguero and defender Matija Nastasic are missing through injury.
The Catalan giants come into the match fresh from a 6-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, where star forward Lionel Messi scored twice.
But Pellegrini insists Barcelona will be getting no special treatment from his team, who have scored 117 goals in 40 games this season.
“Of course when you play against Barcelona, against an important team, you must always consider important things,” he said. “But the most important thing is to try to be the same team you see every week in the Premier League.”
CLUB CONNECTIONS
City and Barcelona have never met competitively, though the Spanish giants were the first visitors to the Etihad Stadium in a friendly in August 2003. City won 2-1
Yaya Toure moved to City from Camp Nou in 2010 for £24m. The Ivorian won two La Liga titles in three seasons
City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain held the same role at Barcelona for seven years and also spent seven years playing for the Spanish club
Chilean Pellegrini only managed four wins in 22 matches against Barcelona during his stints in charge of Malaga, Villarreal and Real Madrid