Motivation not a problem for City

Manuel Pellegrini insists he is having no problems motivating his Manchester City players.

Pellegrini’s side have lost three of their four games since it was announced he would be leaving at the end of the season to make way for Pep Guardiola.

Sunday’s 5-1 FA Cup defeat at Chelsea should be viewed in a different context because City fielded an under-strength side but the previous two losses to Leicester and Tottenham were damaging to Barclays Premier League title hopes.

City now need to pick themselves up as their Champions League challenge resumes with the first leg of their last-16 tie at Dynamo Kiev tonight.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference in the Ukrainian capital, Pellegrini said: “No, really that is not a problem. All the players from the start, they are just thinking in this season – that we have important challenges from now until the end of the year, and the best way is to be focused in every game.

“Now it is the Champions League, after that we have the (Captial One Cup) final on Sunday, and on Wednesday we will return to the Premier League.

“So it’s very easy because we are focused on having a season that works this year.”

Pellegrini has received heavy criticism for the side he selected at Stamford Bridge, which featured six teenagers and five players making their full debut, but he has no regrets.

He said: “It was the only clear decision we had to make in this moment. If we had a completely fit squad, then a lot more experienced players could have played, but that was not the case.

Defender Eliaquim Mangala could be back in contention but Bacary Sagna is not fit.

Manuel Pellegrini: focused on the games ahead.