Pellegrini: We played badly

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini conceded that his side were "very bad" against current champions league holder Bayern Munich after they slumped to a 3-1 defeat in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The defending European champions held little back at the Etihad Stadium as Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben all fired home to give the Bundesliga giants an unassailable lead, with Alvaro Negredo's late strike proving only a consolation.

Jerome Boateng was sent off in the closing stages, although it was too late for City to mount any sort of a comeback, and speaking after the game Pellegrini admitted his side were second best.

He told Sky Sports: "We played very bad. Bayern Munich played a very good game as always. We learned an important lesson in their goals.

"We didn't have enough time with the ball at our feet.

"I think that we were playing in a different way. They had possession of the ball and I don't think we can make the change to fight that.

"I always think a lot of things before and after the match. It was a possibility, but I thought this was the best way to play.

"I will talk about that with the players in private.

"All the games are very important. This was an important game to see what level we are playing at."