City are on 61 points, two clear of Manchester United, and Pellegrini insists their focus must remain on Stoke.
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If any players are to be rested, Pellegrini gave no indication that top scorer Sergio Aguero might be one of them when asked at his latest pre-match press conference.
Under Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City reached for the first time the Semi Final of the champions League and would now have to play Real Madrid in the Semis in other to reach the final and if possible, win the Champions League crown for the very first time. “Every big team must do it every year”.
Stoke have little to play for in terms of the league and face ending the season on a real low after conceding four goals for a third successive game.
Manchester City have re-opened a five-point gap over arch-rivals Manchester United in fifth place as they try to secure Champions League football for the arrival of incoming manager Pep Guardiola.
With one of the biggest games in the club’s history to come on Tuesday, City could have been forgiven for taking their eye off the ball in the league. That game was a first start following a knee injury, yet when the match-day squad was announced, the captain was not in the 18.
Manchester City are Capital One Cup champions and would be hoping to win the Champions League this season and if they don’t they will hoping to qualify for next season champions league by clinching a top 4 spot.
Fernando headed the hosts in front from a corner before a Sergio Aguero penalty – awarded for Ryan Shawcross’s foul on Kelechi Iheanacho – doubled the lead.
A muscle injury means Man City are without Samir Nasri, but Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and David Silva are all available.
However, after conceding two first half goals, Given didn’t return for the second period and was replaced by young Danish ‘keeper Jakob Haugaard. Always the most important thing is the result and to score four goals and have a clean sheet is very important.
“Isco would have had an important place here but if coming to City would have made him better or worse, that is not for me to say”.
Stoke swept away the then title favourites to record their third (and most convincing) win in 15 Premier League meetings with the Manchester Blues.
“We played very well”.
After two tough matches like that, Mark Hughes would certainly prefer some weaker team, but regardless of the wishes he and his players have to travel to the Etihad.
Midfielder Glenn Whelan was similarly scathing, adding: “We are going through a hard stage, we are feeling sorry for ourselves”.
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“We don’t want the season to fizzle out, we have three games to turn it around”.
