Manchester City still have ‘plenty to fight for’ after Francesco Totti helped Roma to a 1-1 draw at The Etihad, Manuel Pellegrini has said.
City’s unconvincing display has left them with just one point from their opening two Champions League fixtures.
The Premier League champions looked on course to take the three points after taking an early lead through a Sergio Aguero penalty.
Then on the 23rd-minute, Roma old boy Francesco Totti scored a sublime chip to equalise for the visitors, becoming the Champions League’s oldest ever goalscorer at 38 years of age.
Asked in his post-match press conference how difficult qualifying will now be, Pellegrini said: “We don’t know. It depends on the way we play the next game.
“We have just one point from six but also we are just three points behind Roma, so there is a lot of things to play for.”
Pellegrini refuted suggestions his side were unprepared for Roma’s approach, after they bombarded the English champions from the off, eschewing the typically-cautious Italian style.
The Chilean said: “It was not a surprise for me. They are a team in form with great players. They made it difficult for us, it was a difficult game but I thought we could win it in the last 20 minutes.
“A point playing at home is never good but we played against a very strong team in a very good moment [of form].
“We didn’t play well, especially in the first-half. We improved in the second-half but I think the draw was the real [right] thing for both teams.
“We must continue fighting for the next 12 points and we will see which teams qualify for the next round.”
City are five points behind group leaders Bayern Munich and face an all-to-familiar battle to qualify for the knock-out stages.
Pellegrini’s troops face a stern test against CSKA Moscow in Russia then host them at The Etihad – two matches where they simply must pick up points if they have any hope of qualifying.
“We hope the next game in Russia we can win and we will see what happens against Bayern Munich,” Pellegrini said.
“We have 12 more points to fight for and we will fight to the end to try and qualify.”
The Chilean will have some consolation this morning as he learnt he has been shortlisted for MBNA Northwest Manager of the Year.
Pellegrini faces stiff competition from Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers and newly-promoted Premier League side Burnley’s Sean Dyche, who are all vying to succeed last year’s winner, Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Chilean beat Sunderland 3-1 to claim the Capital One Cup then went on to capture the title for a second time in three seasons, pipping Liverpool in a gripping end to the season.
The winner will be announced at the MBNA Northwest Football Awards annual dinner at The Point, Emirates Old Trafford on November 18.
Image courtesy of Carl Recine, with thanks.
