Manuel Pellegrini: Hoping a strong showing against Barca will spark Manchester City
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes his team can use their do-or-die Champions League clash with Barcelona to reignite their Premier League charge.
Pellegrini is under considerable scrutiny with his side faltering in their title defence and seemingly needing to overturn a deficit in Barcelona to reignite their season.
City go to the Nou Camp on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie trailing 2-1 after defeat to the Catalan giants at the Etihad Stadium three weeks ago.
To progress, however, requires City to reverse last year's form - they were beaten by Barca at the same stage last season, losing both legs in a 4-1 aggregate defeat.
Jamie Carragher feels Manchester City need a result against Barcelona in the Champions League to save Manuel Pellegrini from getting the sack.
City had a player sent off in both those matches, as they did when the sides met last month.
"We are not going to play against an easy team but I'm sure that if the three ties we played before were 11 v 11 it could have been different,” Pellegrini said.
"We are going to have bad moments during the game but we have a team that can do its best in this type of game."
With three losses in his last four games, Pellegrini was inevitably asked about his future as he met media on the eve of the match but he brushed off the questions and tried to rouse his players.
"First of all I respect all opinions but I don't think my seat is in danger. But even if it was I wouldn't do anything differently, I would do the same thing and focus and concentrate on the game," Pellegrini said.
"I want to say there's no such strange atmosphere at Manchester City. We're second in the Premier League, still playing strong and are going to fight to prove it tomorrow.
It is a good opportunity for our team and the only way to prove it is to beat one of the biggest teams in Europe and we have that chance tomorrow
Manchester City Manuel Pellegrini on Barcelona clash
"It is a good opportunity for our team and the only way to prove it is to beat one of the biggest teams in Europe and we have that chance tomorrow."
Yaya Toure was also asked about Pellegrini's future but chose to focus on the collective responsibility of everyone involved in the team.
Toure, who left Barca for City in a £24m deal almost five years ago, missed the first leg through suspension.
But the 31-year-old is back and behind his embattled manager, and is also showing support for captain Vincent Kompany, who has attracted some criticism after the recent run of poor results.
"Every players has some doubt, some problems, it's part of football,” Toure said of Kompany.
“Sometimes you can have ups and down but he will have full focus because this game is very important for us. I hope tomorrow we will deliver."
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