This afternoon at 2:45 p.m. E.T. Manchester City takes the pitch in UEFA Champions League Group D play against CSKA Moscow, a side in desperate need of a win to keep hopes of advancement alive. Live stream the critical match by clicking this link.
Manchester City is second in the Group D table with a 2-1-0 record through three Champions League games, but that didn't stop coach Manuel Pellegrini from making a change in goal. Pellegrini dropped Joe Hart and replaced him with Costel Pantilimon.
The decision looks like it will stick, but Pellegrini has praised Hart's problem-free response to the benching. "I think Joe has reacted very well. He is a professional player," Pellegrini said.
"For him it is also a good thing to have a rest after playing so many matches. He is working without any problem, supporting Costel Pantilimon. Nobody wants to be out but he thinks it will be useful for him.''
Hart has been the goalkeeper for Manchester City since 2010, but Pellegrini is refusing to say when he will reclaim his job, or even if he will become the starter again. "I don't know when Joe will come back to the team. It is very important for him to have a rest. He has played all the matches for two and a half years. We will see in the future what we must do. For today, Pantilimon is playing.''
Moscow boss Leonid Slutsky has said his side will be going after Pantilimon early and often, pressuring the backup. "Our main task will be to test Pantilimon tomorrow, to see how good he is, the second goalkeeper" Slutsky said. "But I don't think it will affect our tactics. Obviously Hart is better known to us but we will face Pantilimon. Manchester City are a very strong team and we will do our best.''
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