In a week that has seen the vast majority of his squad dispersing across the globe for international duty, the Chilean believes that a point at one of City’s bogey grounds is no bad result.
The 59-year old also pointed to the five injury absentees as another obstacle his squad had to overcome going into this traditionally perilous encounter.
“For us it was a very difficult week because we were missing four players,” Pellegrini admitted.
“We know that here at Stoke it’s always very difficult, so I think it’s a good point for us in a difficult week because all of our players were away with their national teams.
“Players played with their national squad, two games in one week, we have to play today, next Tuesday, next Sunday, the Wednesday after – we have seven games in 21 days, so it’s important to have rotation.
“From the back four, Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, and Gael Clichy and David Silva are out and we have the Champions League on Tuesday so it’s a good point for us.
“I know that City don’t win here but normally we draw. I think that today we had special circumstances, I’m not always happy when we draw away but this is a good one.”
...Manuel Pellegrini...
Although Stoke City undoubtedly had the best chances to claim all three points from the game, City’s boss believes that it was a good performance from his side and that they were good value for their point.
“I think we played well, we want to make more chances to score but they are tough opposition and if we played like we played today in the Cardiff game we would have won,” he declared.
“We must continue, we always want to win but if we cannot win, it’s important not to lose.
“We have to create chances to score. Stoke did a very good game so it’s a difficult team to play against, in a week where we had many special circumstances.
“We must improve on a lot of things but we are changing a lot of things. We have played four games in the Premier League and are one of the top-scorers in the division and have clean sheets in three of our four games.
...Manuel Pellegrini...
“We must improve in a lot of ways but we know about that.”
Pellegrini revealed that his captain may well be available for selection again on Tuesday when City travel to the Czech Republic for their Champions League clash with Viktoria Plzen.
He also reserved special praise for Joe Hart after his accomplished performance between the posts.
“We’ll see with Vincent what happens, we’ll talk tomorrow, with the doctor with the player and we’ll see if he can play on Tuesday but if not, I’m sure he’ll be fine for the derby next Sunday,” Pellegrini stated.
“I have trust in Joe Hart and it was a clean sheet again in the last four games and the two last games we played in the Premier League, so that’s always important for a goalkeeper and I’m sure Joe will continue with this.”
Manuel’s counterpart, ex-City boss Mark Hughes, was disappointed not to claim the points and rued missed chances in front of goal.
“I think the story of the game was that we were quite comfortable,” Hughes told reporters after the game.
We restricted City to bits and pieces in front of us but they never really penetrated us. I thought that when we were more progressive and upped our tempo we created some good opportunities.
...Mark Hughes...
“We just lacked that final ball or that appreciation of what was required at that key moment and weren’t able to capitalise.”
