MX23RW : Thursday, February 28 18:15:52

Pellegrini does not believe City's cup final exploits give West Ham an advantage

Pellegrini does not believe City's cup final exploits give West Ham an advantage
© Reuters
The Chilean believes his former side will cope with any fatigue issues.

Manuel Pellegrini does not believe a gruelling Carabao Cup final will have an impact on Manchester City when he takes West Ham to the champions.

City had to come through 120 minutes and a penalty shoot-out to emerge triumphant against Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.

They also lost Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte to injuries with both facing a spell on the sidelines.

But Hammers boss Pellegrini knows his side still face a daunting task against his former club.

"As a manager, if you can have all the players then you choose the best ones you have, that is the best way," he said.

"But two or three injuries for them will not change their squad. We have played with eight or nine injuries all season so it won't be a factor."

Pellegrini will be returning to the Etihad Stadium for the first time as an opposition manager.

The Chilean was dubbed 'This Charming Man' by City fans after leading them to the title in 2014.

"It was three beautiful years, especially when we won the Premier League, we had a very successful season," he added.

"Not only because we won that, but it was the team that scored the most goals in history.

"The second year was a little more difficult, finishing second. The third season we won the League Cup, were in the semi-finals of the Champions League, so for three years I was very happy.

"The fans enjoyed the football we played. I have only good memories."

Manuel Lanzini is set for a place on the bench again on Wednesday night after Pellegrini vowed not to rush him back from injury.

The midfielder impressed on his comeback from a torn ACL, suffered while on Argentina duty prior to the World Cup, as a late substitute against Fulham last Friday.

"We must be careful with him," said Pellegrini. "He played 15 minutes and did very well.

"The important thing is he is not afraid of playing or worried about his knee, so we will try to give him more minutes in every game.

"He is fine, but we must be careful with the way we improve his minutes to avoid a muscle injury."


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Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho in action during the EFL Cup final against Chelsea on February 24, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool28216164154969
2Manchester CityMan City28222475205568
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs28200855292660
4Arsenal28175660382256
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd28167555361955
6Chelsea27165647291853
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28117103535040
8Watford28117103940-140
9Everton28106123939036
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham28106123541-636
11Leicester CityLeicester28105133439-535
12Bournemouth28104143953-1434
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2887132634-831
14Crystal Palace2886143238-630
15Burnley2886143150-1930
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2776142941-1227
17Southampton2869133046-1627
18Cardiff CityCardiff2874172555-3025
19Fulham2845192663-3717
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2835201550-3514

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