That’s according to Pablo Zabaleta, who insists that the team want to lift the Club’s first League Cup trophy since 1976.
Defeat to Wigan Athletic in May’s FA Cup final deprived the Sky Blues of any silverware last season but the Argentine defender believes that this chastening experience lit a fire under him and his teammates in 2013/14.
“Last season hurt us. We finished second to United and lost the FA Cup final and this club cannot accept silver medals,” Zabaleta declared ahead of Wednesday night’s meeting with Newcastle.
“The manager always tells us that we have the squad to challenge in everything and that he will always try to put a strong team to win every game.
“The experience against Wigan has made us more focused. This time the manager has told us that we must aim to win all four competitions that we are in.
Of course, the Premier League and the Champions League are the most important options for every team, but he is also serious about winning the FA Cup and Capital One Cup.
...Pablo Zabaleta...
“I think that’s what you want to be aiming for when you want to be the best team.”
It’s expected that Manuel Pellegrini will make some alterations to the team that lost at Stamford Bridge on Sunday which opens the door for the Chilean to show the strength in depth at his disposal.
Stevan Jovetic made an impressive full debut in the last round with two goals against Wigan, while Martin Demichelis may also be an option after his first start for the club on Sunday.
Pablo believes that all of the summer’s new signings have brought something new to the table.
“The new signings have all brought something different. Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas and Fernandinho have settled in very quickly and have already had a big impact.
“Jovetic and Demichelis haven’t played a lot of games yet but they will get their chance. So yes I think they have made the team much stronger.”
Pellegrini has also backed up his full-back’s words by admitting that there is pressure for City to perform in every match they play in, regardless of the opposition or the competition.
“Every team that wants to win something must demonstrate every week the intensity, quality and spirit that we have in this team,” the 60-year old argued.
“If you think that just with quality you are going to win, then I think you are making a great mistake.
We know exactly that if we want to win something, then we need to play every game with exactly the same concentration and intensity - then our quality maybe will maybe make a small difference.
...Manuel Pellegrini...
“I think for me and the team and the club the pressure must always be the highest pressure to have good performances in every tournament we play, Premier League, Champions League, Capital One, for me is always the same and the pressure is positive.”
Tickets are still available for City v CSKA at the Etihad Stadium, which will go a long way to deciding the Sky Blues UCL group fate.
They are priced from £33 for Adults and £17.50 for Under 16s. Purchase online here, or call 0161 444 1894 option 1, option 1, option 2 (tickets purchased over the telephone are subject to a £2.50 booking fee per ticket), or visit the Ticket Office located on the first floor of the Etihad Stadium City Store.
For more details please click here.
