Manuel Pellegrini insists that he does not want to fall eight points behind league leaders Chelsea by losing at The Etihad on Sunday.
The Blues have already suffered European heartbreak after former favourite Jerome Boateng struck in the final minute of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The Chilean manager told a press conference at Carrington that he did not want any more trouble on the domestic front after a stuttering Premier League defence so far – and that he was impressed by the start Jose Mourinho’s men had made.
“It is very important to win on Sunday but there is a long way until the end of the season,” he said. “This is just the fourth game and we have to play 38 so we will see what happens in the future.”
The main threat to City’s defence will be Diego Costa, who has seven goals in his first four Premier League games.
“I don’t think Chelsea is just about Diego Costa. They have very good players and we will have to play a very good game if we want to win.”
The visit of the London side signals the first potential meeting between loanee Frank Lampard and the club where he is the all-time top goalscorer after he departed for New York City in the summer.
“Frank is part of our squad and tomorrow, I will give the squad list for that game. I’m sure he will be involved in that game as part of the squad,” said Pellegrini.
“I don’t think it is a difficult situation for him. He didn’t continue at Chelsea because Chelsea didn’t want him – not because he wanted to come here to City.”
The 61-year-old manager also came out in defence of Yaya Touré, who received widespread criticism after a poor performance at Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
“It is not fair for me to criticise what Yaya did in the last game. That is my way of thinking,” he said.
“I don’t agree that Yaya has all the responsibility about the game we played. Yaya always has commitment with the team, the squad and with his teammates. He does not have a problem.”
Image courtesy of Manchester City FC via YouTube with thanks
