QPR vs Manchester City: Manuel Pellegrini refuses to change style of play despite winning just one of their last six matches
City had Sergio Aguero to thank on Saturday evening after his double salvaged a 2-2 draw with QPR
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has vowed to stick to his tried and tested approach to arrest the champions' poor run of form.
The international break comes after one win in six matches for City, with their Champions League future teetering on the edge and with them eight points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea.
The latest blow came against survival hopefuls QPR in a 2-2 draw when City were outplayed bar Sergio Aguero's brilliance and double strike.
Pellegrini, though, insisted he would not compromise his plans.
"We don't have any doubts," Pellegrini said.
"We will continue to work in the same way we are doing.
"We'll continue to play the style of play we always do. And especially for me, when you have a bad moment you must have more trust in what you do.
"It's important to have the national break in this moment.
"We are maybe not in a very good moment but the team continued fighting, continued working until the end. We tried to win.
"We had a lot of chances to score. We didn't do it. That's why we just drew."
Pellegrini made some alterations following the midweek loss to CSKA Moscow - four changes in personnel and a change in shape to a 4-4-1-1 - but City were still susceptible in defence, particularly without Vincent Kompany as Eliaquim Mangala struggled.
The Chilean pointed to the goals against column in City's defence and responded to Sam Allardyce's comments last month that Mangala had been left exposed at West Ham by referencing his side's prolific record against the Hammers last season.
"When you are a manager and win you have all the solutions," Pellegrini said.
"The same manager (Allardyce), we last year scored 14 goals (in four games against West Ham) and he didn't have the solution.
"We are conceding goals but we are the third best defence in the league, with one more goal (conceded) than Chelsea.
"So be careful, we're not so bad."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments