Blues content with group second

MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini was delighted with his side’s 3–2 victory at Bayern Munich.

Both teams had already qualified for the knock-out stage, but leaders Bayern had not yet been confirmed winners of the section. City didn’t seem aware that another goal would have seen them leapfrog their German hosts, theoretically ensuring an easier last–16 draw.

When defending champions Bayern raced to a 2–0 lead with strikes from Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze within 12 minutes, this seemed academic anyway.

But David Silva reduced the deficit with a close–range effort in the 28th minute, and the fightback continued as City scored two second–half goals.

Pellegrini declared himself “very happy” after the game, but when asked if he had not been tempted to bring Sergio Aguero, City’s top scorer, off the bench when it was 3–2, he said: “It is very important to be first in the group - but not the most important thing.”