'Unbelievable' that Manchester City must play CSKA Moscow on suspect pitch grumbles Manuel Pellegrini
22 Oct 2013 22:30
Russians had to move their last Champions League home game to another venue and Blues boss fears postponement if it rains
Warren Little
Manuel Pellegrini has hit out at UEFA for allowing Manchester City’s clash with CSKA Moscow to go ahead on the Russians' dodgy pitch, writes David Anderson in Moscow.
City boss Pellegrini does not believe the playing surface at the Khimki Arena is up to standard, and fears the Champions League match could be called off it if rains.
CSKA’s previous European home game, against Viktoria Plzen, had to be moved from Moscow to St Petersburg - 400 miles away - and Pellegrini is stunned that UEFA have now given the pitch a thumbs-up for Wednesday night.
“Of course I’m surprised,” he said. “I’m surprised because they were not allowed to play the other game here, against Plzen.
“I think the people from UEFA who reviewed the pitch without hestiation should have said, 'It cannot be played here.'
“I think it’s unbelievable that the most important cup competition in the world is allowed to be played on this pitch.
“We must pray on Wednesday that it’s not raining. If it’s raining it will be impossible to play on this pitch. It could be called off.
“I didn’t believe it when I saw the pitch. This is the most important competition in the world, and it deserves a better pitch.”
UEFA have inspected the pitch several times and dismissed Pellegrini's concerns that it is sub-standard.
A spokesperson said: "The pitch has been monitored and inspected over the last weeks and has been deemed playable - even if it might not look impeccable, aesthetically.
"It has recently been considerably improved, thanks to the intensive work of the groundsmen, and we are confident the match will be played under good conditions."
CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky admitted the turf, which has been partially relaid, is poor, but is more concerned by his team’s slump in form - they have lost five of their last seven games.
“I suppose the quality of the pitch is equal to the quality of our latest results,” he said, while adding of City: "We can hardly beat them on skill."
Pellegrini's men must take advantage of CSKA’s struggles to win and move ahead of the Russian champions in the race for a place in the last 16.
City midfielder Yaya Toure knows what it takes to win the European Cup, having been victorious with Barcelona in 2009.
He insists City - who hav failed to get past the group stage in the last two seasons - are progressing as a Champions League side, despite their chastening loss to holders Bayern Munich last month.
“The difference between Man City and Barcelona is not that big,” said the Ivory Coast midfielder. “We have a new manager who wants to improve it and we are playing well.
“We want to play attractive football, try to dominate and win games.
“We know the Champions League is difficult to win.
“We are learning well and I hope this year is going to be much better than last year and we can go as far as possible.”
Probable teams
CSKA Moscow Akinfeev; Nababkin, Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Milanov, Wernbloom, Tosic, Honda, Zuber; Musa.
Manchester City Hart; Zabaleta, Nastasic, Garcia, Kolarov; Silva, Fernandinho, Toure, Navas; Dzeko, Aguero.
Pellegrini gets the excuses in early
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Pellegrini gets the excuses in early
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The Rest Is Just Details
I used to be the Old Master but now I'm an Oldfart!
Re: Pellegrini gets the excuses in early
oldfart wrote:'Unbelievable' that Manchester City must play CSKA Moscow on suspect pitch grumbles Manuel Pellegrini
22 Oct 2013 22:30
Russians had to move their last Champions League home game to another venue and Blues boss fears postponement if it rains
Warren Little
Manuel Pellegrini has hit out at UEFA for allowing Manchester City’s clash with CSKA Moscow to go ahead on the Russians' dodgy pitch, writes David Anderson in Moscow.
City boss Pellegrini does not believe the playing surface at the Khimki Arena is up to standard, and fears the Champions League match could be called off it if rains.
CSKA’s previous European home game, against Viktoria Plzen, had to be moved from Moscow to St Petersburg - 400 miles away - and Pellegrini is stunned that UEFA have now given the pitch a thumbs-up for Wednesday night.
“Of course I’m surprised,” he said. “I’m surprised because they were not allowed to play the other game here, against Plzen.
“I think the people from UEFA who reviewed the pitch without hestiation should have said, 'It cannot be played here.'
“I think it’s unbelievable that the most important cup competition in the world is allowed to be played on this pitch.
“We must pray on Wednesday that it’s not raining. If it’s raining it will be impossible to play on this pitch. It could be called off.
“I didn’t believe it when I saw the pitch. This is the most important competition in the world, and it deserves a better pitch.”
UEFA have inspected the pitch several times and dismissed Pellegrini's concerns that it is sub-standard.
A spokesperson said: "The pitch has been monitored and inspected over the last weeks and has been deemed playable - even if it might not look impeccable, aesthetically.
"It has recently been considerably improved, thanks to the intensive work of the groundsmen, and we are confident the match will be played under good conditions."
CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky admitted the turf, which has been partially relaid, is poor, but is more concerned by his team’s slump in form - they have lost five of their last seven games.
“I suppose the quality of the pitch is equal to the quality of our latest results,” he said, while adding of City: "We can hardly beat them on skill."
Pellegrini's men must take advantage of CSKA’s struggles to win and move ahead of the Russian champions in the race for a place in the last 16.
City midfielder Yaya Toure knows what it takes to win the European Cup, having been victorious with Barcelona in 2009.
He insists City - who hav failed to get past the group stage in the last two seasons - are progressing as a Champions League side, despite their chastening loss to holders Bayern Munich last month.
“The difference between Man City and Barcelona is not that big,” said the Ivory Coast midfielder. “We have a new manager who wants to improve it and we are playing well.
“We want to play attractive football, try to dominate and win games.
“We know the Champions League is difficult to win.
“We are learning well and I hope this year is going to be much better than last year and we can go as far as possible.”
Probable teams
CSKA Moscow Akinfeev; Nababkin, Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Milanov, Wernbloom, Tosic, Honda, Zuber; Musa.
Manchester City Hart; Zabaleta, Nastasic, Garcia, Kolarov; Silva, Fernandinho, Toure, Navas; Dzeko, Aguero.
Only 1 pom in City's starting eleven?
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Re: Pellegrini gets the excuses in early
Benitez and him swapping benches next season if you believe the papers
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Re: Pellegrini gets the excuses in early
why are you shocked? it's city??bapa wrote: Only 1 pom in City's starting eleven?
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Re: Pellegrini gets the excuses in early
You would struggle to field an England side if you used both Chelsea and Man City squads.Del Boca Vista wrote:why are you shocked? it's city??bapa wrote: Only 1 pom in City's starting eleven?
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Re: Pellegrini gets the excuses in early
Stonking finish from James Collison. Any striker would be proud of that touch.
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