After crushing Chelsea with Aguero’s hattrick, the Citizens played a 1:1 draw against Newcastle United.
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Manchester City attacker David Silva is set for a timely comeback for his side as they approach crunch fixtures against Stoke City in the Premier League before welcoming Real Madrid for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
They beat Stoke City 4-0 on Saturday, despite a much-changed line up.
Pellegrini was able to rest Kompany, Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling without slipping up in the race for the top four. It is very important to get a spot in next season’s Champions League.
City are unlikely to bank on themselves winning the Champions League and are likely to give a good account of themselves against Stoke, who have been in horrid form off late.
“It was exactly the same against Paris Saint-Germain when we played the quarter-final”.
Iheanacho was also the player who won the penalty after he was hauled down by Ryan Shawcross in the Stoke box. That will help a lot. “They are a very attacking team with a coach with very clear ideas and they have always competed to win this competition”. He is getting stronger and he is going to be very important for us’.
Pellegrini accepts that rotation is sometimes necessary but it has not been one of his regular selection traits.
“It has been a complicated situation in a year in which we are fighting for titles, but you have to accept it”.
“I saw from the first moment his desire was to be the best player and to play every game”. Even though Aguero scored again and brough Manchester City 1:0 lead, the Magpies managed to level the results before the halftime and even had some good chances for taking all three points. Kun (Aguero) is playing all the games.
The beginning of the game lacked any real intensity, with City struggling to find their rhythm in front of their subdued fans.
And, while Pellegrini is looking for his side to secure Champions League qualification for next season, he also wants to boost confidence with a win ahead of the Real Madrid clash.
All of them have the risk of an injury.
“So I’m sure that none of them are thinking nothing more than to win against Stoke”.
It has left a campaign that had looked as if it could be heading towards European qualification in danger of fizzling out.
Stoke still have to face Sunderland (home), Crystal Palace (away) and West Ham United (home) and manager Hughes faces a battle to rouse his players and ensure the season does not end on a flat note.
Stoke City is a roller coaster team this season, but the Potters have been out of touch in weeks.
“Tottenham are an exceptional side, we felt they were arguably the best we’ve faced this year”. For some reason the big clubs can be knocked out. We have done that in the past.
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However, after conceding two first half goals, Given didn’t return for the second period and was replaced by young Danish ‘keeper Jakob Haugaard.
