Pellegrini praises Agüero as one of world's finest

• Manuel Pellegrini hails Sergio Agüero after forward's hat-trick
• Argentina striker certain City can secure progress in Rome
• Josep Guardiola says Bayern dominated despite being down to ten
• Match report: Manchester City 3-2 Bayern
• Next games: Bayern v CSKA, Roma v City (10 December) 

Sergio Agüero, Manchester City forward
It was very important to win. In the first half we tried to wait for them to attack us and hit them on the counterattack. We started well, but then they scored from a set piece and then from a cross. That unsettled us a bit. We all thought that we had nothing to lose, so we pressed them a bit higher up the pitch and luckily we managed to get the goals towards the end. It was a big team effort.

I think that I have had some very good games this season and this is another one. As I always say, the important thing is that my goals help the team win. I am happy because my three goals helped us claim the three points, which was very important for us. Yes, it was vital [to win] because I think that a draw would not have really helped. The important part was to win today and next up we will go to Rome and give it our all.

Manuel Pellegrini, City manager
I have always said before this night that Sergio is one of the best players in the world, one of the best strikers. He played today very well, but I think the team played very well especially in the second half. When we concede at the end of the first half it is very difficult, but we work, we press and finally we make the chances for Sergio.

We have to do our duty, it is important in these two games, we have won the first one, now we have to try and beat Roma away, and we also depend on what happens between Bayern and CSKA. But it is important that we do our duty and we see what happens in the other game

I am sure that this kind of victory it gives a lot of trust to the whole squad, at his moment that is important. We will see what happens in the last game. If we have a mathematical chance we will fight to the end.

We cannot concede two goals in every game that we play, it makes it very difficult to win. But during half time I told the players we have 45 minutes more to score our goals, but we must fight to the end to continue in the Champions league. That’s why I think the second half has double merits because not only did we beat Bayern but also we didn't fall down with our spirit. This team is never beaten and they work to the end to win.

I don't think this was the most dramatic game of my career. It was a very important game to continue in the Champions League, maybe the way we did it was very emotional but not dramatic. For me I always trust that this team in the end can do this sort of things, I am very proud of them.

Josep Guardiola, Bayern coach
Even though we lost, I am very proud of my team. We played with ten men for much of the game, despite that we continued to dominate possession and play an aggressive game. But that sort of thing happens in the Champions League, perhaps tonight is a big lesson for us. This is a group game, if it happens in the last 16 onwards then you are out of the competition.

I think if you look at the way we played you can’t say that we lacked focus. I feel sad for the players, perhaps we were a bit tired in the end and that was a bit disappointing. Obviously with a player like [Sergio] Agüero he is always going to pose a danger, but that is football.

We dominated, but we made two mistakes and that is why we lost. I’m sad for the players, they don’t deserve this. Of course I have to congratulate City, they have the chance to go to the next stage. We will try to win against CSKA. This year I think we are better than we were last year because we have spent more time together. Last year we had short periods where we played good but not always. Now we know each other better.

Vincent Kompany, City defender
It is a good win – whichever way you look at it you are beating one of the top teams in Europe. We have done it a few times recently so it is good. I think we are better with our backs against the wall anyway and we go to Rome now and it is going to be an incredible game for everyone. We have shown with our performances in the league that we never give up anyway so we did that tonight again.

The coaches in contrasting moods©AFP/Getty Images

[On Agüero] Every team that wants to achieve special things in Europe needs a special player and he is our special player. When he perfoms like he did today he makes a lot of things possible that normally would be difficult.

Rafinha, Bayern defender
It was a game we dominated for 75 minutes and then with individual mistakes we gave away two goals. At that stage we were tired, we had run a lot. We are pleased we played well but disappointed we lost. They were just two mistakes. The word is frustration, because we dominated the game even with a man less. We know we lost because of individual errors on our part, but we win and we lose as a group. We played well and we have qualified already.

Dante, Bayern defender
We respect City – they are a great team and even if we had already qualified in first place we came here to play and respect the fans. Even with ten men we managed to play well. It was a good performance. Agüero is a great player but I think it was not because of what City did, it was just two mistakes from us. These things happen in football. Agüero is a high-quality player and when he gets a chance normally he scores a goal.