But Pellegrini’s main concerns will be the performance of his back four, with the central defensive pairing of Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala struggling to contain Long, while left-back Aleksandar Kolarov did little to suggest he should start in the Bernabeu.
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“We continue in the Premier League in the next two games to be in the top four, so that was a risk”.
Although 10-time European champions Real are favourites to win the reverse fixture, Iheanacho believes the Citizens could make history in Madrid.
Fabian Delph, Fernandinho, Wilfried Bony, Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov could all be expecting the worst on this evidence.
City’s vast changes ripped out any rhythm, and after a meandering opening the hosts took full advantage.
Africans claimed nine of the 27 goals in nine matches, including a brace from Nigerian teenager Kelechi Iheanacho for City.
The goals toppled an already-wobbling City.
Mane, Davis and Tadic overwhelmed Fabian Delph and Fernandinho too often to credit the duo’s berths in a squad still eyeing Champions League glory.
Sadio Mane scored a hat-trick and Shane Long also netted on a miserable day for the Manchester club on the south coast.
City failed to deal with a corner, and Mane reacted quickest to volley the ball home after Virgil van Dijk’s header came crashing off Hart’s bar.
He praised the work of the Saints manager, saying “They sold a lot of players this season and it’s a merit to Ronald Koeman that they are doing so well”.
Koeman insisted Southampton in Sunday’s mood could have produced the same result against City’s strongest starting line-up. The English Media in seem to tag along in singing his praise.
They are eighth in the league at the moment and only one point behind Liverpool who are seventh at the moment.
He has consistently been linked with big money moves away from St Mary’s, but is a player Saints very much see as important to their future and wish to retain.
“I was very disappointed especially in the defending because we were doing well in the other games”. This game didn’t give us enough encouragement.
“I wasn’t happy about the intensity of Graziano in the training sessions this week”, said the Dutchman, issuing an outright challenge to the 30-year-old to sharpen up.
“Today I don’t know why we defended so bad in the first half, those were the two goals that decided the game. I also had to select a team based on who would play on Wednesday”.
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“I’m pleased with my performance, getting goals in the Premier League, and I’m happy coming through to the first team this season, working hard to get more goals for them and help them in Europe”.
