But the unforgivable sin of complacency was committed and could well cost the Premier League champions their place in the competition.
It initially looked to be little more than a stroll for City in front of a combined total of around 650 people – just roughly 300 of them spectators - due to the Uefa sanctions imposed on CSKA Moscow for the use of a variety of racist symbols and banners by the club's fans.
For the most part, CSKA sat back. City enjoyed long spells of possession and it was no surprise when Sergio Aguero put the ball into an empty net after David Silva combined beautifully with Edin Dzeko.
Aguero laid on a second goal for James Milner and, in reality, City went in at half-time knowing they might have scored three or four more.
But a different side emerged from the tunnel in the second half and the nature of their 'Jekyll and Hyde' performance in surrendering a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 was perhaps best personified by Yaya Toure.
Pellegrini had said before the game that Toure – who has come in for plenty of criticism already this season - was improving with every game but this was a mixed bag of a performance from the Ivorian, whose inconsistent season continues.
Toure had a hand in City's second goal as his perfectly placed lofted pass released Pablo Zabaleta in the build-up to James Milner's close range finish. It should have been enough to end the game as a contest.
But Pellegrini's side were cruising after the break and it showed as CSKA found a way back into the game. Toure was too static in midfield as the impressive Ahmed Musa was released down the right before playing in Seydou Doumbia for the equaliser.
And a needless attempt at a backheel in his own half afforded the home side possession at a crucial moment. CSKA were quickly awarded a soft penalty for a foul by Aleksandar Kolarov and Bibras Natcho equalised from the spot.
City captain Vincent Kompany led the protests aimed at referee Istvan Vad, but the Belgian and the rest of Pellegrini's men should only be angry and frustrated with themselves for allowing the hosts back into the game.
The result leaves City's hopes of qualification from the group stages hanging by a thread once again.
“Football is 95 minutes – not just the first half,” Pellegrini said after the game, recognising that his side had shut off after the interval. “I think we played very well, we scored two goals and we have clear chances to score two or three more goals, but we didn't and we have to play for longer against a very good team. If you give them space they are dangerous.”
The Chilean was also prickly and defiant in the face of suggestions that his side were now outsiders to finish ahead of Bayern Munich, Roma, or even CSKA in Group D. “We have nine more points to play [for],” he added. “After those nine points we will see which team has more points.”
But if City are to have any chance of qualifying for the latter stages – something they have consistently struggled with since a new successful chapter in the club’s history was opened by Sheikh Mansour – they will have to string together 285 minutes (including added time, of course) of almost faultless football.
Even then, it may not prove to be enough.
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