Manuel Pellegrini praises Manchester City for "perfect match" against Stoke City

Manuel Pellegrini is a happy manager.

The Manchester City boss spoke to the press after his team's 4-0 routing of Stoke City on Saturday, with a very impressive performance that provided a blueprint for Tuesday's Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid. The Chilean praised his player for their games, explained his rotations, and looked ahead to facing his former team.

"I think it was the perfect match. It was important to have our mind focused on this game and not on Tuesday.

"Big teams must be able to have their minds in all competitions and have good performances in them.

"Like I said though, it was exactly the same against Paris Saint-Germain - we had played well against Bournemouth in the days before. It's a good way to prepare for the Champions League.

"Kelechi is a player with an important role at this Club. He played very well and his contribution is important.I am very pleased.

"David Silva was just coming back from an injury so he played 60 minutes. Kun has been playing 90 minutes a lot so it was good for him to rest. It was the same thing with Kevin De Bruyne.

"Fernando has a little pain in his knee but I think he will be okay for Tuesday. Yaya Toure finished with a muscle injury so we will see tomorrow with the doctor.

"It was a risk for Vincent Kompany to play two games in 72 hours. I think he will be okay for Tuesday - he worked this morning and he is not having any problems."

Source: MCFC