Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini insists his team will be fully focused on Fulham on Saturday despite the looming derby against neighbours United next week.
The Chilean announced that Sergio Aguero will definitely miss the clash with United as he has still failed to recover from his hamstring injury.
Pellegrini is wary of the Cottagers despite the fact they are currently under the tutelage of their third manager this season and the 60-year-old fears they will be desperate to pick up points at the Etihad.
“All the teams near the bottom, not only in the relegation zone but in the lower half of the table have to try to add points from somewhere,” he said.
“Felix Magath’s teams always play with a lot of intensity. I am sure we need to work hard during the game if we want to win.
“This is the start of a very important week and the most important game is Fulham because this is our next game.”
Pellegrini believes his side have learnt from their recent cup exits and can only push on in the final two months of the season.
City have three games in hand on league leaders Chelsea but have been scared by experiences against teams of a lower level who have beaten or pushed the Blues close.
“We have experience here against Wigan, Palace and Stoke where each game it proved very difficult to score a goal, so there shouldn’t be anybody thinking Fulham it is not a tough game,” he continued.
“We know they are in a relegation position at the bottom of the table, but I repeat it doesn’t mean it will be an easy match.
“We continue in the fight with all the other teams. We have to play the three games we have in hand and we will see how we play those games but at the moment I think the four teams have the same chance.”
Main image courtesy of Alex Morton/Action Images, with thanks.
