Three first-half goals helped Manchester City cruise into the knock-out stages of the Champions League as Sevilla offered little in the way of resistance.
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Speaking to Manchester City’s official website, Pellegrini said: ‘I am very happy with the way we played.
‘We defended well too and dominated possession. We have to keep working. It’s great to be part of this squad and with the players we’ve got I’m learning every day. They lead Italian champions Juventus by one point with the two set to meet in Turin in three weeks’ time.
Earlier this season boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted he would like to avoid one of the competition’s favourites in the knockout stages.
Three more points tonight could mean Man City qualify for the last 16 this evening, and the Chilean has confirmed his team are going to play for the win as opposed to defending for a draw. “If we draw we have a significant disadvantage, plus there is Juve there already with seven points”. City have reached the Last 16 with two games to spare.
However, he also warned that their job is not done with the visit to Juventus and a home game against Borussia Monchengladbach to come.
“We have played many games in Europe where there has been racial abuse – we have had to put up with it”. “We now have to try and finish first in group, so will try to do that”.
Even without the injured Sergio Aguero and David Silva, City eased to the win guided by Sterling who tormented Sevilla’s defense with his speed and flair on the left flank until substituted in the 73rd. “Today we changed the system and for that reason, we played a very good game”.
“We knew they had pace on the counter attack and they were very efficient”. But it’s hard not to have the feeling that this version of Manchester City is better equipped than other recent models to make a deep run in the Champions League.
City started strongly in Seville on Tuesday night, with Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho putting Manuel Pellegrini’s side 2-0 up against the Europa League holders within 11 minutes.
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“He has had a few criticism about his last games and maybe he missed a few chances but I am sure that in the future he will return to his normal performance”.
