Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is feeling the pressure ahead of his side’s must-win match at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League today.

After a disappointing start to their Premier League title defence and facing an early European exit, Pellegrini says he, more than anyone, understands the importance of winning the match.

“My own pressure to continue to the next round is an important pressure, more maybe than the owners,” he told reporters.

“Of course, I think we must be in the next stage.”

If beating the 2013 European and current German champions Bayern wasn’t enough of a daunting task, City will be without suspended midfield pair, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho, while playmaker David Silva is still sidelined through injury.

The Manchester side did, however, receive a boost when captain Vincent Kompany returned from a calf problem in their 2-1 home win against Swansea City on Saturday.

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