Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has blasted Chelsea over their ‘negative tactics’ in their 1-1 draw yesterday.
Pellegrini comapred the Bkues’ tactics to Stoke, who came away from the Etihad Stadium with a shock 1-0 win earlier this season.
City looked to be heading for defeat after Andre Schurrle’s strike put Chelsea in front, and a red card for City defender Pablo Zabaleta. But City midfielder – and Chelsea legend – Frank Lampard equalised just a few minutes from time.
“I’m not satisfied with the result,” Pellegrini said. “We played to win but Chelsea kept 10 players behind the ball.
“The game was very similar to the game against Stoke. Ten players defended their own half, they scored a counter attack and they continued to defend until the end.
“I am happy because our team played in one way, we continued playing and trying to score.
“I am very happy with the mentality of our team. It is so important to play like a big team, and not like a small team. I would not be happy to play that way.
“We continue with the same ambition, teams will find it hard to beat us. The team performance was very good.”
These comments could open up old wounds between Pellegrini and Mourinho, who haven’t always seen eye to eye for a few years now, stemming back to 2010, when Mourinho took over the reins at Real Madrid from Pellegrini.
Steve Osborne @SteveOsborne23
