Manuel Pellegrini Unconcerned About The Possibility Of Chelsea Fielding A Weakened Team Against Liverpool
Manuel Pellegrini,
right, and Chelsea's José Mourinho have a history of a war of words but
the Manchester City manager is now avoiding that. Photograph: Peter
Powell/EPA
The Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, insists he is not concerned about the possibility of Chelsea fielding a weakened team against title rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
The match at Anfield is crucial in the title race, with all three clubs still in with a chance, but José Mourinho is considering fielding a weaker Chelsea team to prioritise next week's Champions League semi-final second leg with Atlético Madrid.
That would also damage City's chances of being crowned champions as Pellegrini's side need to rely on Liverpool losing one of their remaining three games to have a chance.
Pellegrini, though, brushed aside such a prospect, saying City just had to ensure they win their four remaining matches, starting at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
He said: "I don't know what Chelsea or other teams are going to do in the future. The only important thing we can try to do is win our games and we are going to try from now until the end of the season. I think every team tries to make the best thing for their team.
"If the other teams are damaged for that reason it is not the important thing for us. The only important thing for us is to win our games. Liverpool have to win their last three games. If they win the three games of course they are top of the table and they have the advantage.
"From the moment we lost the game against Liverpool they have the first chances to win it but for that they must win their games. All of our players believe they can still do it. Everyone that is working in football knows anything can happen – and easily in the last few games when the pressure is a lot."
The Chilean and Mourinho have sniped at each other consistently over the years, both in Spain and this season in the Premier League, but this time Pellegrini refused to become involved in a war of words over the Chelsea team selection. Mourinho, meanwhile, has said he will consult the club's hierarchy before making a final decision on 's lineup.
City got back on track against West Brom on Monday but need another good result against Palace after their title challenge was damaged by being beaten by Liverpool and being held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland. However, David Silva and Jesús Navas will miss the trip to Selhurst Park with ankle injuries but Yaya Touré should be available to bolster the midfield.
Pellegrini admitted Palace are now a daunting prospect – under Tony Pulis they have won their last five games. "Palace will be very difficult because they are a good team, they are playing very well and here at the Etihad we had a very difficult game and just beat them 1-0.
"Tony Pulis is doing a very good job, they are one of the best teams of the second round [half of the season] and I congratulate him."
The match at Anfield is crucial in the title race, with all three clubs still in with a chance, but José Mourinho is considering fielding a weaker Chelsea team to prioritise next week's Champions League semi-final second leg with Atlético Madrid.
That would also damage City's chances of being crowned champions as Pellegrini's side need to rely on Liverpool losing one of their remaining three games to have a chance.
Pellegrini, though, brushed aside such a prospect, saying City just had to ensure they win their four remaining matches, starting at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
He said: "I don't know what Chelsea or other teams are going to do in the future. The only important thing we can try to do is win our games and we are going to try from now until the end of the season. I think every team tries to make the best thing for their team.
"If the other teams are damaged for that reason it is not the important thing for us. The only important thing for us is to win our games. Liverpool have to win their last three games. If they win the three games of course they are top of the table and they have the advantage.
"From the moment we lost the game against Liverpool they have the first chances to win it but for that they must win their games. All of our players believe they can still do it. Everyone that is working in football knows anything can happen – and easily in the last few games when the pressure is a lot."
The Chilean and Mourinho have sniped at each other consistently over the years, both in Spain and this season in the Premier League, but this time Pellegrini refused to become involved in a war of words over the Chelsea team selection. Mourinho, meanwhile, has said he will consult the club's hierarchy before making a final decision on 's lineup.
City got back on track against West Brom on Monday but need another good result against Palace after their title challenge was damaged by being beaten by Liverpool and being held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland. However, David Silva and Jesús Navas will miss the trip to Selhurst Park with ankle injuries but Yaya Touré should be available to bolster the midfield.
Pellegrini admitted Palace are now a daunting prospect – under Tony Pulis they have won their last five games. "Palace will be very difficult because they are a good team, they are playing very well and here at the Etihad we had a very difficult game and just beat them 1-0.
"Tony Pulis is doing a very good job, they are one of the best teams of the second round [half of the season] and I congratulate him."
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