Manchester City: Pellegrini happy to avoid Barcelona but not worried by PSG

Posted Saturday, March 19, 2016 by manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already helped end Chelsea's chances and Man City must stop him doing the same to them.

Barcelona and Pep Guardiola can wait - but Zlatan Ibrahimovic stands in the way of Manchester City’s Champions League semi-final hopes.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side avoided Europe’s truly big guns in the draw for the last eight - but will still have to overcome French champions Paris St Germain, who killed off Chelsea’s hopes in the last round.

City need only look to that two-legged last 16 tie and the French side’s superioty over Guus Hiddink’s team to appreciate the threat posed Ibrahimovic, Angel di Maria et al.

Even still, Pellegrini could not disguise his relief at avoiding reigning European champions Barca, who have eliminated City in each of the last two seasons.

"It is a difficult draw as always,” said the Chilean. “With the eight best teams of Europe, it is always difficult draw.

"Barcelona are the best team in Europe, all the other teams are the same.

"You never know what is an easy draw.

"We are in the eight best teams.

"Maybe one team can have less names than another, but if they are in the same stage they are an important team."

City travel to Paris on April 6, with the return leg at the Etihad on April 12.

Manchester City: Pellegrini happy to avoid Barcelona but not worried by PSG
The Champions League represents Pellegrini's best chance of a final piece of silverware

Pellegrini became the first manager to lead City in the quarter finals courtesy of a 3-1 aggregate win against Dynamo Kiev.

With his side trailing Leicester by 12 points in the Premier League, Europe may represent his best chance of ending his reign at the club with another piece of silverware.

While they have avoided the true giants left in the competition - including incoming manager Guardiola’s Bayern Munich and Real Madrid - they missed out on the more favourable ties of Wolfsburg and Benfica.

In PSG they face a side with similar spending power and squad glittering with star talent.

Ibrahimovic remains their talisman and one of the most effective match-winners in world football - even at the age of 34.

City have avoided a meeting with Guardiola's Bayern

Joe Hart witnessed that first hand when the Swede put four past England in a friendly in 2012 - including an outrageous overhead kick from outside the area.

It will also be a furter opportunity for the striker to put himself in the shop window ahead of a potential move to the Premier League with both Manchester United and Arsenal linked.

For now Pellegrini is refusing to give up on the title - going into a must-win derby against United on Sunday.

"In football when you have a mathematical chance you can still do it," he said. "The more points you lose it’s more difficult, but you must have the mentality to win the next game."