Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini to snub pre-match press conference?

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has reportedly decided against holding tomorrow's pre-match press conference ahead of his side's crucial Champions League clash against Barcelona.

The Chilean coach is not allowed to speak to his players when he arrives at Camp Nou on Wednesday due to an immediate two-match UEFA touchline ban.

Pellegrini was handed the suspension after publicly criticising referee Jonas Eriksson following the first leg of the last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium.

According to the Manchester Evening News, due to the ban, Pellegrini is not obliged to address the media at the pre-match press conference, which means that assistant boss Brian Kidd is likely to attend alongside captain Vincent Kompany.

City will need to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Barcelona in order to book a place in the quarter-finals of the elite competition.