Pelle still believes City can progress

MANUEL Pellegrini had no regrets about his team selection even though Manchester City were completely outplayed by Barcelona in the home half of their Champions League match.

City were lucky to escape with a 2–1 defeat in the last–16 tie after being taught a lesson in playing with passion, flair and destruction during a 45–minute blitz.

Luis Suarez scored twice on his return to England, Neymar missed a good chance to add a third and Dani Alves also rattled the bar as the Spanish giants completely overran the English champions.

Luckily for Pellegrini, Sergio Aguero pulled one back in the second half and Joe Hart saved a Lionel Messi penalty in injury time to give City a fighting chance of staying in the competition.

Pellegrini raised eyebrows by playing a 4–4–2 formation with Edin Dzeko up front alongside Aguero. Barcelona’s three–man midfield dominated play from the centre of the park, but Pellegrini shrugged off suggestions he had handed the Spaniards the initiative because of the way his team lined up.

“No, I am very happy with the way we played,” the City boss said when asked if he regretted his team selection. “It was the way we must play against Barcelona. Barcelona will always dominate in some parts of the game, like the midfield.”

Pellegrini still fancies his chances of beating Barca in the second leg next month to reach the quarter–finals: “With the way we play, I think we can do it,” the City boss said.