Manuel Pellegrini is simply looking for his side to play well and win ahead of Saturday’s home game against Newcastle United.
Manchester City were top of the Premier League after an impressive start to the season, but find themselves in second to city neighbours United after last weekend’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
However City’s manager is simply focused on acquiring the three points against Newcastle United this weekend and building on Wednesday’s Champions League win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
“We are not thinking of the top of the table at this moment – just to play well and win. It’s important to be top in May.
“Tomorrow we have a tough game against Newcastle. They played very well against Chelsea and here in Manchester against United.
“On Wednesday we showed we have a strong team with strong character in Europe. It’s not easy to win from a goal down.”
City will still be without their captain Vincent Kompany ahead of Saturday’s game however, and injuries remain a hot-topic at the Etihad.
“Kompany will not be fit to play for Belgium but it’s important for him to be with his mates as they have important qualifiers,” Pellegrini said.
“Kompany, [Gaël] Clichy, [Fabian] Delph, [Samir] Nasri and [Yaya] Toure are injured. Eliaquim Mangala is on the squad list and so are Kelechi [Iheanacho] and [Wilfried] Bony.”
Against Newcastle City will be looking to avoid losing their third consecutive league match, a run which they last were on in November 2008.
Manchester City are unbeaten in 17 league meetings with Newcastle however, their longest-ever run without defeat against a single opponent in the Premier League.
City also have a great record of goal scoring against Newcastle, having scored two or more goals in each of their last 14 league games against the Magpies.
Pablo Zabaleta, another who has recently returned from injury following a cameo on Wednesday, is expecting a tough task for City however.
“I’m very surprised to see Newcastle where they are because of the experience they had towards the end of last season.
“After that situation you expect to bring in new players- which has happened- but the results haven’t been good so far, though there was a definite improvement against Chelsea last weekend.
“We need a good result ourselves and we have to start winning games again and need to build on our win over Borussia.”
Image courtesy of the BBC via YouTube, with thanks.
