Manuel Pellegrini is backing his Manchester City side to make it through Group E of the Champions League despite dropping more points against CSKA Moscow.

City were in complete control as first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and James Milner put them 2-0 in the Arena Khimki, but the home side hit back to level through Seydou Doumbia and Bibras Natkho.

Bayern Munich are dominating the group after they crushed AS Roma 7-1 and City now have a real battle on their hands to qualify from the group as runners-up.

City have picked up just two points from their opening three games, but Pellegrini and goalkeeper Joe Hart both believe they can make it through to the knockout stage.

“It’s going to be difficult but we are capable of qualifying from this group,” Hart said.

“We have a home game against Moscow now and have to focus on that first and let the other two do what they need to do.”

Pellegrini added: “I trust in this group. I am sure we are going to qualify for the next stage. We will see in the next game what happens. In December we can talk about different things.

“Now we have nine points more to play for and I hope we will see the team that you saw in the first 45 minutes and the team you see every weekend in the Premier League.

“There is a lot more to fight for and we will fight to the end.”