A stunning save from Juve and Italy great Gianluigi Buffon denied Serie A side fought back.
Pellegrini said: “I think it was a strange game, I don’t think that we deserved to lose this game. We played better than Juventus, we had three clear chances to score, I think Gianluigi Buffon made a good save and we were very unlucky, especially on their first goal.
“We played against a strong team, with not too many options, but I think we controlled the game and really I don’t remember Juventus creating important chances.”
Pellegrini - who confirmed that skipper Vincent Kompany had sustained a calf injury - admitted that Juve’s finishing was a difference between the teams on the night.
He added: “I expect that when we have chances we must score, because this is the Champions League and the difference between the teams is very slight, especially such a strong team as Juventus. Of course if you have clear chances and you don’t score… Juventus didn’t create so many but they finished well.”
Despite the disappointment, Pellegrini was keen to take the long term view of Group D.
“In the last two seasons we started by losing and both seasons we qualified for the next stage,” he added.
“We are just starting, it’s a game you never want to lose here at home because they are three very important points but the group is just starting.
“We have 15 points more to play for so it depends on the way we play the next game.
“It’s not the best way to start losing at home against a strong team but it doesn’t mean we won’t qualify, we have to play against Juventus there and another four games, and we’ll see which team has the most points at the end.”
Support the team in aiming for a tenth home Premier League win a row as they take on West Ham on Sat 19th Sept at 5.30pm. Make sure you don’t miss out on another memorable game at the newly-expanded Etihad Stadium and buy your tickets now or enjoy the game in the new 93:20 bar from £60 + VAT.
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