MANUEL’S NO-SHOW SURE TO RILE UEFA

MANUEL PELLEGRINI is on a collision course with UEFA ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League clash with Barcelona at the Nou Camp. The Manchester City manager will be banned from speaking to his players once he gets to Barcelona’s famous stadium. He is serving a two-match touchline ban for comments he made about the referee after his team’s 2-0 first-leg defeat at the Etihad. Now it has emerged that Pellegrini will risk antagonising UEFA further by refusing to attend the obligatory pre-match press conference in Barcelona this evening. Concerned that he will face too many questions about his conduct after the first game, Pellegrini has decided to send assistant Brian Kidd, alongside captain Vincent Kompany, in his place. He is bound to be fined, as UEFA rules insist that coaches speak to the press before and after each European game. Last season Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was fined ¤10,000 by UEFA for failing to appear after his team’s exit at the hands of Real Madrid at Old Trafford. Pellegrini could face a more severe sanction. He is already serving one punishment and may decide to skip the post-match press conference as well. Pellegrini (right) is under no pressure from his club to attend. City sources have pointed out that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger did the same thing when facing a Champions League touchline ban two years ago. Of more pressing concern to the Chilean is overcoming a daunting 2-0 first-leg deficit. His side must pull off the mother of all upsets tomorrow if their European campaign is not to end. Pellegrini will deliver his team talk at the hotel tomorrow — once at the Nou Camp he will not be allowed to have contact with his players. City need the performance of their lives but midfielder Samir Nasri believes they can do it. ‘It is an amazing game and we can do something fantastic if we change the result,’ he said. ‘Anything is possible in football. I saw Barcelona this week, losing 1-0 against Valladolid. It shows they are human. ‘It is always a special feeling to play at the Nou Camp. It is going to be difficult but I know if we play at our level we can do something. ‘Let’s have high hopes. We have nothing to lose. Just attack them from the start.’ Asked if an early goal would worry Barcelona, Nasri said: ‘Yes, especially after a defeat at the weekend.’