• Champions League

Pellegrini: Yaya criticism is unfair

ESPN staff
September 19, 2014
UEFA to distribute FFP fines

Manuel Pellegrini says criticism of Yaya Toure's performance against Bayern Munich is unfair and has no problems with the Manchester City midfielder's attitude and commitment.

Toure put in a poor display in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat and was also caught hugging and talking with Pep Guardiola, his former manager at Barcelona, immediately after the final whistle when City had been condemned to defeat by an 89th-minute goal.

Yaya Toure was criticised after his display against Bayern Munich © Getty Images
Enlarge

"Yaya always has commitment with the team and the squad and with his mates and he doesn't have any problems about that," Pellegrini said in a news conference.

"I don't think it is fair to criticise what Yaya did in the last game. My way of thinking, normally when we win or lose it is because all the team did well or bad.

"Everyone knows which is his best performance and we are trying to reach that best performance. I don't agree Yaya has all the responsibility about the game we played."

Pellegrini also said he disagreed with FA chairman Greg Dyke's plans to reduce the number of non-EU players in English football by 50%.

He added: "The clubs have to play with the best players. It doesn't matter the nationality."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices