Pellegrini fielded a highly inexperienced side against Chelsea in the FA cup game.Eight teenagers,five of whom were debutants.He was unhappy that the match was switched to a Sunday for a television broadcast — just 24 hours before City were to fly to Ukraine ahead of their Champions League game with Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday.
With about 6 of his senior team already on the list of walking wounded he did not want to risk further injuries.
He blamed the pile up of fixtures for his dilemma .
Chelsea made short work of the makeshift opposition and now are hoping to collect the FA cup this season as some compensation for all the trauma.