City are due to face the Russian outfit at the Khimki Arena in their third group stage match, but Pellegrini states that should rain fall on the day of the clash it would bring the match into huge doubt.
On the run: Manchester City players train on the Arena Khimki turf on the eve of their clash with CSKA Moscow
Testing steps: City attempt ball exercises on the turf which Pellegrini has described as 'unbelievable'
Take aim: Joe Hart prepares to save a shot during training
Pellegrini said: 'I just saw the pitch, I think it's unbelievable that the most important cup competition in the world is allowed to be played on this pitch. We must pray on Wednesday that it's not raining. If it's raining it will be impossible to play on this pitch.
'It could be called off. I didn't believe it when I saw the pitch – both for the two teams and also for the people who will watch the game. This is the most important competition in the world, and it deserves a better pitch.
'I think if it's not raining there will be no risk for an injury. It's not a grass pitch.'
The pitch has been a cause of concern for a number of weeks with recent fixtures having to be moved away from the venue.
CSKA have not played there since August and took their last Champions League home game, against Viktoria Plzen, 400 miles away to St Petersburg.
The Arena Khimki was the first ground in Russia to apply the SGL concept - the same grass growing technique used at Wembley Stadium.
But the pitch failed to cope in the early part of the season with persistent and heavy rain and the high number of games played by CSKA, co-inhabitants Dynamo Moscow and Russia Under 21s.
Put to the test: Joleon Lescott (right) attempts to challenge James Milner in training
Unimpressed: Manuel Pellegrini fears rain on matchday will render the pitch at the Khimki Arena unplayable
Not good enough! Pellegrini (second left) briefs his City players ahead of their clash with CSKA Moscow
CSKA have not played there since August 30 and there has been no game at the ground at all for a month.
UEFA passed the pitch fit after some repair work was undertaken a fortnight ago. The surface now has grass but it is thin and it appears very sandy and uneven.
City sampled it as they exercised their right to train on the pitch on the eve of the match.
Pellegrini does not need reminding of the last time City played on a muddy, waterlogged pitch - in Hong Kong in pre-season when defender Matija Nastasic suffered an injury that ruled him out for a month.
Pellegrini added: 'I think tomorrow, if it is not raining, it is not a risk for injury. It is a very good ground pitch, not a good grass pitch.
'But of course I am surprised (the game is on) because they didn't allow the other game, against Plzen, here.
'I think the people from UEFA that viewed the pitch mustn't give the authorisation to play here.'
Temporary home: CSKA Moscow are playing some
home matches at the Khimki Arena while construction is underway on their
new stadium
Frustration: Pellegrini voices his concern over the state of the pitch during the pre-match press conference
Contrast: City midfielder Yaya Toure however had no concerns over playing conditions
CSKA have lost five of their last seven matches but were in agreement with Pellegrini over the state of the pitch.
Manager Leonid Slutsky said: 'I suppose the quality of the pitch is, absolutely, equal to the quality of our latest results.'
In previous years such a fixture could have been played at the Luzhniki Stadium but Russia's biggest venue is now being rebuilt ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
City star Fernandino voiced his concern over the pitch and how it could hamper with City's style of play.
The midfielder said‘I am worried about the pitch because our team try to play with the ball on the deck and if you don’t have a good pitch it could be very hard for us,’ he said. ‘We can’t think about the draw — we need to go there to win.
However, not everyone slammed the state of the turf, as City midfielder Yaya Toure tried to make light of the situation.
The Ivorian said: 'For us, you have to play on pitches with problems. I don't have any problem with that.
'In Africa we have worse pitches. Most of all we have to do our best to try to win this game tomorrow.
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