Pablo Zabaleta

City boss Pellegrini confirms Aguero will miss Juventus clash

Published Sep. 14, 2015 9:52 a.m. ET

foxsports

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that forward Sergio Aguero will miss Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Juventus at the Etihad.

Aguero injured his knee during Saturday's 1-0 win at Crystal Palace and will be on the sidelines as City begin their latest European campaign.

However, David Silva and Raheem Sterling are both available after missing Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park.

Pellegrini said at his pre-match press conference on Monday: "Sergio is not fit for tomorrow. It is difficult for him, he has an injury to his knee. David and Raheem are fit.

"I hope Sergio will be OK for the weekend but we must wait to see the result of the scans.

"We have Wilfired (Bony, who could play up front) and Raheem can also play as a forward, so we have different options. I trust this squad 100 per cent.

"We'll see tomorrow if (new signing) Kevin de Bruyne will start. We need to make one change with Kun (Aguero). Kevin played very well the other day (when he came off the bench for his debut at Palace).

"Fernandinho and Samir Nasri are not 100 per cent recovered from problems but I hope both will be 100 per cent for tomorrow."

Fabian Delph, Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta are City's other absentees for Tuesday.

Juventus have made an unusually slow start to their Serie A campaign having won none of their opening three games but Pellegrini thinks last season's Champions League runners-up will pose his side plenty of problems.

"We are playing a very strong Juventus side," he said. "They reached the final last season and have won four titles in a row.

"Maybe Juventus did not start very well in their league but this is a different competition. They will be motivated.

"I hope we qualify from the group and then I hope we will have more luck not to face the strongest team in the last 16."