Flying trip to Abu Dhabi not to blame for shock loss: Pellegrini
Manchester City boss refuses to accept training camp had a bearing on humbling at home by Middlesbrough
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini played down the significance of his side’s midweek trip to Abu Dhabi after they were humbled 2-0 at home by Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.
The Premier League champions, FA Cup finalists in two of the past four seasons, were well beaten on Saturday by a Middlesbrough side currently second in the division below them.
City decided to take the seven-hour return flight from the Middle East on Friday and the squad were pictured leaving Manchester Airport just 19 hours before kick-off against Middlesbrough.
We don’t have any problem with motivation. We are going to work hard and hope that we can win that game at Stamford Bridge
But Pellegrini refused to accept the training camp in the United Arab Emirates, where City’s super-rich owners are based, had had any bearing on the result.
“I don’t think so. I don’t agree,” the Chilean said at Etihad Stadium. “You can have your opinion, but I have a different opinion because we had six or seven clear chances to score a goal.
“I repeat, you can have different reasons for a result. You must analyse the game, but if you think that’s the reason, I have a different opinion about that.”
Nevertheless, furious City fans took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, ahead of a visit to league leaders Chelsea next weekend that could leave their side eight points off the pace in the title race.
“We don’t have any problem with motivation,” said Pellegrini, whose side had lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal in their previous home game. “We are going to work hard and hope that we can win that game at Stamford Bridge.