Pellegrini hails improving City as quarter-final spot beckons

City’s performance gave Pellegrini some vindication for his controversial decision to field a weakened side in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat at Chelsea. The result? A humiliating 5-1 defeat. Historically this competition has not been kind to Manchester City though and I am certain that City fans will be nervous of this match up. Kiev had to play their last group game against Maccabi Tel Aviv behind closed doors for offences including the racist behaviour of fans. We have, at this moment, seven players injured.

Reaching the last eight would represent City’s best run in the Champions League after going out at the first knockout round in the past two seasons. “All the players from the start, they are just thinking in this season – that we have important challenges from now until the end of the year, and the best way is to be focused in every game”, he said at his press conference.

Attention turns back to Europe this week though, and Hart insists that City need to believe they have what it takes to win their first ever Champions League crown. “Or else there is no point in turning up on Wednesday”.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini last night denied that the shadow cast by the impending arrival of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium has derailed his side’s tilt for silverware this season.

However, manager Manuel Pellegrini intends to name his strongest starting eleven for Wednesday’s game.

It’s then down to Wembley again on Sunday for the Capital One Cup final against Liverpool.

City welcome back Eliaquim Mangala to the fold, but midfielders Kevin de Bruyne, Jesus Navas, Samir Nasri, Fabian Delph and striker Wilfried Bony are out injured.

He’s taken a full squad to Ukraine that includes captain Vincent Kompany, play maker David Silva and leading scorer Sergio Aguero, who all were held out at Stamford Bridge.

“Whatever you say before the game, I could see that our players anxious in the dressing-room”.

Pellegrini isn’t the only coach with tough decisions to make about injuries.

“The guys were anxious before the game and this worry only disappeared after the break”.

After a minor scare for City when Hart pushed an effort from Andriy Yarmolenko on to the crossbar, the visitors took the lead after 15 minutes.