Manuel Pellegrini spoke confidently yesterday before the visit of Spanish giants Barcelona to the Etihad stadium. "I think we must continue concentrating on our qualities as a team. That is the way to try to have a victory at home in the first leg." he said in front of a packed press conference.

The encounter will be City's first competitive meeting with the Catalans and is likely to prove a very stern test. The visit will fall almost 15 years to the day since City entertained Macclesfield Town in a League One fixture at Maine Road. With that in mind Pellegrini claimed the club's recent rise under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour means they have surpassed United as tp dogs in Manchester. He said "If we only consider this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it's ours, but you cannot forget what United has done in the previous years."

"We are aiming to keep growing by winning many trophies - not just national but international trophies."

"We are fighting for four titles this year. We have to be patient because you cannot change the team from one day to another."

"We have to keep the philosophy of the style and for that you need time."

City go into the game full of confidence after their fantastic victory over Chelsea in the F.A. Cup on Saturday.

City are further lifted by the likely reurn of Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho after two weeks out with a muscle injury. Pellegrini said: "He has a chance. He is in the squad list.

"We will see who can start but he has worked without any problem."

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