Clash of heavyweights

Pellegrini demands tighter defence as City square off against Guardiola’s Bayern tonight

MANCHESTER: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has told his team they cannot repeat their recent defensive woes against Bayern Munich if they are to make progress in the Champions League.

City lost 2-3 in the Premier League to unfancied Aston Villa on Saturday just weeks after going down by the same scoreline against English topflight newcomers Cardiff.

Similar lapses are sure to be punished by Bayern, the reigning Champions League and Bundesliga champions, who have won eight and drawn one of their matches in the league and in Europe this season, scoring 21 goals in the process.

City, after failing to qualify for the knockout phase in their opening two Champions League campaigns, began their involvement in this season’s edition of European club football’s elite competition with a 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic.

But Pellegrini indicated a Bayern side managed by Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona boss, would pose a different threat at Eastlands on Wednesday.

“We need to play 90 minutes in the best way knowing every mistake or error we can concede a goal,” Pellegrini said on Tuesday.

“It’s very important to concentrate for the 90 minutes,” the Chilean added. “For me it was very important to take three points against Viktoria Plzen.

“The second thing is to try to win our points at home and Bayern is a very strong team but we’re also in a good moment and hopefully we can get the three points here.”

Spain winger David Silva has not featured since the 2-0 win over Hull in August due to a thigh problem but came through training on Tuesday and is available to face Bayern.

Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko came up against Bayern during his time at Wolfsburg, before joining City in January 2011.

Dzeko believes City have been improved considerably by the attacking additions of Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Fernandinho and Stevan Jovetic.

“We don’t have to think about the last two years because it’s done,” Dzeko said. “We started this season in the CL very well with the win and that’s important for the confidence.