Pellegrini: Barca are favourites to win the cup... they have Messi

Manuel Pellegrini says Barcelona are the favourites for the Champions League because they have Lionel Messi in their side.

Messi failed to score in either of the games as Barça knocked Manchester City out for the second consecutive season, but he was the standout performer over the two legs.

In the first half at Camp Nou he was particularly sensational, with his dribbling, range of passing and change of direction bamboozling the visiting defence.

Pellegrini, whose side played Bayern Munich in the group stages, was asked whose the better side out of Barça and Bayern, and he pointed out there is one main thing which separates them.

"We have Bayern and Barca [this season and last season] and both teams very strong," the Chilean mused.

"Barça have the advantage, though, because they have Messi and he can be the difference.

"[Depending on the draw] they are two teams that will be in the semifinal, but [Real] Madrid and Juventus are also good."

Following his failure to mastermind a win over the Catalans, Pellegrini's job at the Premier League champions is now coming under threat.

They've been knocked out of all three cup competitions which they entered and are six points behind Chelsea in the league having played a game more.

However, the 61-year-old says now is not the time to talk about his future.

"Now is not the moment to explain [why I should be the manager]," he said. "For this team it is important to win something every season, so everything will need analysing in the right moment.

"Last season was very good, maybe this season we didn't strengthen as well as other teams [in England], but at the end of the season we will analyse.

"But from me, I don't have any problems or worry about [my job]."