Pellegrini says Manchester City must win Roma; Hart and Jovetic to Start
Manchester City coach, Manuel Pellegrini has said the team cannot afford to lose their second Champions League group game against Roma on Tuesday at the Etihad stadium.
Roma are seen as City’s main rivals for qualification with Bayern Munich after the English club lost at Germany a week ago. Roma however won their first game in Group E, beating CSKA Moscow 5-1.
“It’s a crucial game, because Roma won and we lost, so it’s important at home to win our first three points,” Pellegrini said. “It will be a very tough group and we cannot drop points here at home. It’s very important for us to win that game. It’s an important game not to lose. You have to play six games and if you’ve lost the first two, it will be more difficult.
“I hope that the team will play the same way as we have this last week. I’m very happy with all the performances, against Chelsea, against Sheffield Wednesday and on Saturday. I hope we can continue to stay in the same way.”
Pellegrini also confirmed that Joe Hart will return against Ashley Cole’s Roma after being rested for Saturday’s 4-2 win at Hull and giving Willy Caballero his league debut.
He also confirmed midfielder Fernando will still be missing through injury, but that forward Stevan Jovetic could return from his hamstring injury.
Pablo Zabaleta is also back from suspension, and the defender insists the Blues are determined to better last season’s run to the last 16.
“On Tuesday, we have the Champions League and it is a competition in which we want to do well this season,” said the Argentine. “We want to do better than we have in the last three years. We lost the first game away against Bayern Munich, but now we play at home.
“Roma are a good side, doing well in the Italian league, top with Juventus, but you always play the best in the Champions League.
“Italian teams always work really well tactically and have great players. [Former Arsenal forward] Gervinho is especially on good form and Totti at 38 is still playing in these games.
“It will be tough so we need to be better at home. We dropped points at home against Stoke and Chelsea, but now we need some rest between now and Tuesday.”
