Manuel Pellegrini suggests Manchester City's sub-par showing against Barcelona in the Champions League could be down to fatigue.
The reigning Premier League champions lost 3-1 on aggregate to the Catalan giants after the 1-0 second leg defeat at Camp Nou on Wednesday with Pellegrini hinting at a heavy schedule over Christmas one of the major reasons for the shortcoming of his side.
"It is difficult to analyse because the Premier League is strong, with money and very good players," said the Chilean.
"We play so many games in December and January and we are not fresh in February. In Spain, Italy and Germany they stop playing.
"Last year we played nine games in December and nine in January, and that was before we played Barcelona."
