Manuel Pellegrini, the Manchester City manager, last night dismissed criticism of Yaya Toure's performances this season as the midfielder prepared to return to the scene of last year's Russian racism controversy.

Toure suffered abused from home supporters when City played CSKA Moscow at Khimki Arena in the Champions League last October, with the two clubs to meet in the competition once again tonight.

The crowd will not be a factor this time as the game takes place behind closed doors as a result of further offences by CSKA supporters. Instead the focus is on a match which City need to win to ignite their campaign, as well as the form of Toure.

The Ivory Coast internationalist has yet to return to his formidable best following a difficult summer but Pellegrini has seen encouraging signs. The coach expects his player to deliver against the Russian champions this evening.

"I don't agree that Yaya has had a bad season," said the City manager. "Maybe if you compare his performances this year to last season, when he had a brilliant performance, maybe he just needs time to get back to that level. But he continues to be a very important player for our team. He had a very complicated summer, but I think now he is arriving back towards his normal performance.

"But I don't think this team just depends on one player. If we didn't play well in some games before, it's because the whole team didn't play well, not only Yaya."

Toure's performances have sparked debate over his best position, and whether he would not be better playing in an advanced role, free of defensive responsibilities. However, Pellegrini has no inclination to begin tinkering with his tactics.

"He can play both positions but he will continue in the position where, last season, he was the best player in the Premier League," added the City manager.

Pellegrini feels it is a shame that the match tonight will be played in a near-empty stadium. It is the first of three more European home matches CSKA have been ordered to play behind closed doors after three offences in the past year, although the club are appealing the decision.

"It is a pity that we cannot play with fans. This is a showpiece for fans," said the Chilean. "It will be a very strange game, with only the players shouting on the pitch. We have no option and we must play that way and many may think the local team will suffer the most damage, but I think the biggest loser is the game of football."

City have collected just one point from their opening two Group E matches - away against Bayern Munich and then at home to Roma - and the Barclays Premier League side can ill afford to drop many more points in back-to-back encounters with CSKA.

CSKA are also anxious for victory having lost both of their opening games but Ahmed Musa, the CSKA striker, has expressed confidence about turning their fortunes around against the "very weak" English champions.

"I think CSKA are a big team here, they play attacking football and we have to be focused on our defending if we are to keep a clean sheet," said Pellegrini, simply.