Aguero missing again as Pellegrini looks for reaction

Ian Watson
Manuel Pellegrini Manchester City TEAMtalk

Manuel Pellegrini: Watches City train on Tuesday

Manuel Pellegrini is looking for a response from his Manchester City side following their poor display in the defeat at Stoke. 

City host Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday night with little at stake having already qualified for the Champions League last 16, though top spot in Group D can be achieved if Pellegrini’s side win and Juventus lose at Sevilla.

The manager wants a strong performance against the Germans following the lethargic showing on Saturday at Stoke, where they were 2-0 down in the opening 15 minutes.

Pellegrini said: “We were disappointed on Saturday as we didn’t perform as we wanted but we want to come back now play as a strong team.

“The defeat to Stoke is gone. It’s important for the team to at least do their task and we’ll see what Juventus do against Sevilla.”

Pellegrini expects a tough test from ‘Gladbach after the Bundesliga side’s impressive 3-0 win over Bayern Munich on Saturday.

“We are going to find tomorrow a difficult team – not only because they beat Bayern but their results over the last two months.”

City striker Sergio Aguero will sit out the final group stage clash with the heel injury he sustained in the win over Southampton on November 28.

“Sergio has an injury which means he can’t work. He needs time to recover – it’s not serious, it’s a pain injury.”