Pellegrini seeking a statement of intent

MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes his team can reach another important milestone by beating Juventus and topping their Champions League group.

Pellegrini has overseen City's two best Champions League campaigns by reaching the last 16 in the past two seasons, but now accepts expectations have grown.

The quarter–finals are now a minimum target and Pellegrini knows his side may have a better chance of getting to that stage if they advance as group winners.

They are now in prime position to do just, that having gone top of Group ‘D’ with three successive wins.

With their place in the knock-out phase already secured with two games to spare, City can clinch first place with victory in Turin tonight.

In theory, that could spare them the kind of tough draw that has pitted them against Barcelona in successive seasons.

Pellegrini said: "Everyone criticises this club for the performance in Europe.

"It is important for us to have important achievements.

“One of the achievements was to qualify for the round of 16 for the last three years. Before that we couldn't do it.

"This year it is important to qualify first, because it is one step more in Europe. We have two spare games to try to win the group.

"It is also important to win the group against Juventus away because that is a good test for the future in the Champions League. It is important for the club."