Pellegrini 'very happy' with Manchester City's 2nd-half display vs. Barcelona

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini defended his tactics following the club's 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie on Tuesday.

Pellegrini surprised many by selecting two strikers - Edin Dzeko played alongside Sergio Aguero - and leaving the midfield duo of James Milner and Fernando overrun by Barcelona's customary three-man midfield. The Spanish side enjoyed 62-percent possession on the night and obliterated City in the opening half, with Luis Suarez scoring twice before the interval.

But Pellegrini, while admitting his team was not good enough in the first half, said the tactics were not to blame, pointing to the improved performance in the second stanza - using the same system - as proof.

"I am very happy with the way we played (in the second half). It was the way we must play against Barcelona," Pellegrini was quoted as saying by ESPN FC. "We demonstrated that in the second half with the same names. It was the way we must play from the first minute."

The Chilean bench boss also discussed his side's prospects of overturning the disadvantage in the second leg at the Camp Nou on March 18. 

"I think we can do it," he said. "In the second half, we demonstrated we are not a lesser team than Barcelona. We have a chance."