Speaking at his pre-match news conference, Pellegrini conceded Tuesday’s clash with Zinedine Zidane’s men was likely to come too soon for the 32-year-old Ivory Coast global, who may also miss next week’s return at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Manuel Pellegrini confirmed Manchester City will be without Yaya Toure for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
Zabaleta, who made his 300th City appearance at the age of 31, admitted: “I never thought we would be talking about the semi-finals of the Champions League when I first came. He has a very important contribution, and not just for this game”, Pellegrini said.
Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in London on April 16, 2016.
“If you get to the semi-finals there is nothing bad any more for you, you just want to play”.
The Chilean said: “We play eight games in 30 days so it’s very important to have some rotations”.
Kevin de Bruyne-should be fit for Real Madrid. Manuel Pellegrini and his men could not have asked for a better match before they face Madrid.
That may still happen, of course, should neither of the two Madrid teams in the last four make it to the final but Pellegrini would be happy to accept that challenge. It’s very hard with ten players.
Yaya Toure-ended the game with a muscle injury.
The ten-time European champions are favourites ahead of tomorrow night’s first leg, having mounted an incredible comeback against Wolfsburg in the last round to reach the final four.
Manchester City warmed up for their Real Madrid clash with a comfortable 4-0 victory against injury-hit Stoke at the Etihad Stadium in the early Saturday kick-off. “I knew all about him from playing Manchester United when I was at Villarreal”.
Daniel Sturridge chested down a high ball and swivelled to fire Jurgen Klopp’s side in front inside two minutes, with his England colleague Adam Lallana bending in Liverpool’s second goal on the half-hour.
In explanation, the manager said: “For Vincent, it was a risk to play two games in 72 hours”. That is what we hope for, especially as it is a first time for the club.
The Nigerian’s 10th of a breakthrough campaign allowed his team to cruise home, and Iheanacho bagged a second towards the end after substitute Wilfried Bony played him in.
A fourth win in five league games is too late for City’s mathematical chances of winning the Premier League but will help them secure a place in the Champions League again next season. It has given us something important to look forward to.
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Goalie Jan Oblak anchors a defense that has kept seven clean sheets in 10 Champions League matches, in addition to 22 clean sheets in 35 rounds of the Spanish league – keeping it level on points with leader Barcelona with three matches left.
