Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis has insisted that he was at fault for the penalty which led to Barcelona's opening goal in the Champions League defeat on Tuesday night.

Pellegrini criticised the performance of referee Jonas Eriksson at the Etihad Stadium, but Demichelis claims that it was his error of judgement that caused him to be sent off for the foul on Lionel Messi.

The Argentine defender told The Sun: "I have seen the moment again on TV and think 'why did I have to tackle him and not keep running by his side?'

"I was sure that I would get the ball when I made the tackle. And then you think that you will steal the ball from Messi, you realise that you don't. But I made the foul."

Demichelis will miss the second leg at Camp Nou on March 12.