Pellegrini wants to 'beat Stoke' to prepare for Real Madrid

Manuel Pellegrini believes there is no better way for Manchester City to prepare for its inaugural Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid than by beating Stoke City on Saturday.

The Potters have been criticised for downing tools since it appeared their season was winding down to a mid-table finish, but Pellegrini will not rest on his laurels and is keen to build momentum ahead of its European clash.

City currently occupies fourth spot in the Premier League, although archrival Manchester United is just two points short, threatening to steal its Champions League berth for next season.

"It's very important we're in the Champions League semi-final, but that doesn't mean we're not worried about the Premier League," Pellegrini insisted Friday.

"All the big teams must try to reach the final of the Champions League and be involved in domestic games and titles. It is very important to get a spot in next season's Champions League."

Pellegrini's squad can almost boast a clean bill of health ahead of the Stoke meeting, with only Samir Nasri forced to sit out as he slowly regains match fitness after a long layoff. He's not in City's Champions League squad, but can hope for inclusion in the trip to Southampton on May 1.

The Chilean manager didn't divulge whether he would be significantly rotating his lineup in this weekend's domestic duty, hinting that keeping a similar XI could be beneficial for the Champions League semi-final first leg in Manchester next Tuesday.

"It was exactly the same against (Paris Saint-Germain). We had important Premier League games then and I said the best way to prepare is to win your games, as that gives you trust in the players," Pellegrini added.

"The best way to prepare for Tuesday is to beat Stoke, to score goals, keep a clean sheet, and that will help to prepare."

A win would pile pressure on United, who has an FA Cup semi-final against Everton on Saturday and would only be able to make up the stretched point deficit in its game in hand at West Ham United on May 10.