Manuel Pellegrini wants Manchester City to face one of Europe's big boys
Posted Friday, November 29, 2013 by Dailystar.co.uk
Manuel Pellegrini is ready to risk meeting one of Europe’s biggest hitters to keep Manchester City on course for Premier League glory.
BRING IT ON: Manuel Pellegrini wants to face the likes of Barcelona or Real Madrid in the next round of the Champions League
The City boss says he would rather let the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid worry about his side than the other way around.
City travel to Bayern Munich in two weeks needing to overhaul the Germans by three clear goals to top Champions League Group D.
With English rivals likely to top their groups and the fact that City can’t meet Bayern, the chances of being drawn against one of Europe’s mega clubs in the last 16 looks a real possibility.
But Pellegrini says his immediate priorities are league games against Southampton and Arsenal either side of the Bayern match.
He said: “When we qualified I felt relief because I knew it was so important for the club. I knew that was the first target.
“We’ll try to top the group but maybe the game before and game after in the Premier League will be more important.”
City entertain Swansea on Sunday followed by a trip to West Brom.
A trip to Southampton follows, with the Bayern fixture sandwiched between that and a massive home clash with Arsenal.
The City boss, who secured qualification with Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Viktoria Plzen, added: “I am not afraid of who we play in the next round. It’s not a major problem.
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“Anything can happen in two games but we have a strong squad.
“People might say it’s difficult for us to play against Barca, Real, Atletico or PSG, who are another we could face, but all of them would not be happy to play against us.
“Of course they are beatable. They are strong teams and have worked for a lot of years.
“This club is just starting to think and to work as a big team, bring in very good players. We are going the right way and I am sure we can beat any other team.
“The Champions League is the most important club competition in world football, without a doubt.
“But you can have a bad game in the quarter or semi-final and you are out.
“Is it more important than the Premier League? Both competitions are as important as each other to us.”Boss will risk Euro crunch
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