Intro:

Manager Manuel Pellegrini defended the form of midfielder Yaya Toure on Monday (20 October), as Manchester City prepared to face CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City coach:

"CSKA is a big team here in Russia. They normally play attacking football. So I'm sure that we must be very concentrated on defending if we want to keep our clean sheet tomorrow."

SOUNDBITE (English) Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City coach: (On playing in empty stadium).

"Many years ago I lived an the experience. I repeat this is not really the show that we need to have but we don't have any other option, we must play in that way. Maybe some people think that the local team may be more damaged without playing with their fans but I think the most damaged (thing) is football, I think that football is with fans."

SOUNDBITE (English) Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City coach: (On condition of the pitch).

"Last year we were concerned about the pitch because it was impossible to play on that pitch, and everyone knows (knew that) before the game. Now this year, no... I just watched the game that was played last Saturday here. I think maybe it's not the best pitch because it's very difficult here in Russia, in winter or at the beginning of the winter having a very good pitch. But I think that's normal conditions... so we are not going to have any problem about that."