Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini insists any changes he makes to his team are unrelated to the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
A Sergio Aguero hat-trick saw City to a 3-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday as Pellegrini's men, perhaps momentarily, moved into third.
"If I will be refreshing maybe some positions in the next game, [it's] not because I'm thinking of Real Madrid," he said.
"It's because between now and the end of May we need to play eight games in one month.
"It's important to make substitutes, but not thinking about Real Madrid."
Pablo Zabaleta was substituted midway through the second half at Stamford Bridge and was unhappy with Pellegrini's decision.
"Of course he was upset, it's my duty in the moment to do the right thing," Pellegrini said.
"He was on a yellow card and one more foul and all of the fans of Chelsea would be every time [trying] to pressure the referee to send him off.
"It was important to change."
