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TEAM NEWS: Zabaleta, Kolarov and Navas in for City as CSKA resort to painting pitch
CSKA MOSCOW attempted to conceal the bare patches on their Khimki Arena pitch ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with Manchester City by painting it green!
City manager Manuel Pellegrini had condemned the thread bare surface as unfit for Champions’ League action, describing UEFA’s decision to give it the go-ahead “unbelievable.”
In an attempt to deflect some of the criticism, CSKA officials ordered their ground staff to spray a green, paint-based substance on the pitch, prior to television beaming pictures of it round the world.
Meanwhile, Pellegrini has made three changes for the CSKA game following City's win at West Ham on Saturday.
Pablo Zabaleta, Alexander Kolarov and Jesus Navas replace Micah Richards, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri.
City team (4-4-2): Hart; Zabaleta, Garcia, Nastasic, Kolarov; Navas, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva; Aguero, Negredo.