City hotly-tipped for European glory

CITY’S all-conquering domestic performances have not lost them support for their Champions League campaign.

Potentially two wins away from the Premier League title with eight left to play, Pep Guardiola is shifting attention towards breaking new ground with the club in Europe.

City go into the last-eight draw tomorrow as one of the favourites despite having only once reached the semi-finals in the competition, and will be cheered on by some of the players they have beaten at home.

Stoke keeper Jack Butland, who has shelled nine goals in two difficult games with the Blues, is all for an English team going all the way in the Champions League for the first time since 2012.

“They’re one of the best sides I’ve ever played against,” he said.

“I’ve faced them twice this season. The first was devastating and even if we were a lot better second time you can see the quality they’ve got, the way they are able to unlock defences,” he said.

“They are a top, top side well on their way to winning the league and rightly so. They’re one of the best teams in Europe.

“You’d fancy them in the Champions League, of course you would, they have all the tools you need to win it.”

City could face Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Sevilla, Liverpool, Roma or Juventus in the last eight, with the draw being made tomorrow morning.