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LOS ANGELES -- Leroy Sane has told ESPN FC that Manchester City can challenge Real Madrid for the Champions League title next season if Pep Guardiola's young team continues to improve and develop. The German winger, who admitted that he models his game on Real star Gareth Bale, is due to line up against the European champions on Wednesday when the two clubs meet in the International Champions Cup at the Coliseum. Real became the first team in the Champions League era to retain the European Cup by defeating Juventus in Cardiff last month, making it three Champions Leagues in four years for the club. But after suffering the disappointment of being knocked out at the round of 16 stage by Monaco last season, Sane insists that City should target at least the semifinals in the Champions League next term, with the aim of winning it. "Real had a very good season last year," Sane told ESPN FC at the launch of City Football Group's joint venture with Goals in the United States and Canada. "They are the best team in Europe at the moment, so it will be difficult [to win the Champions League], but it is a new season. "They are two-time Champions League winner, so I think it is going to be difficult, but we can do it if we improve a lot and work on our problems. "I don't think we are one of the favourites, but we can go through to the semifinals. We have a team that can do it, experienced young players who play very well. If we work a lot and improve, we can do it. "Pep [Guardiola] has won many trophies and he gives us a lot of belief. It is a big year. I want to win some trophies." City's clash with Real will see Sane share the same stage as Bale, the Welsh winger who has won three Champions Leagues during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu. And the 21-year-old admits he is excited by the prospect of facing the former Tottenham player. "Yes, of course," Sane said. "He is also a very good player and I can learn a lot from him. It is nice to see him play football and play against him. We are both good at running with the ball, but it is his speed with the ball [which I admire]." City, who continue to be interested in Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez and Monaco youngster Kylian Mbappe, currently possess one of the most devastating forward lines in Europe with Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling. And former Schalke winger Sane believes City's goal-threat is one of the biggest weapons in their armoury -- even if he accepts that they are still some way short of the level of Barcelona's iconic Mess-Suarez-Neymar front-line. "We have great striker and midfielders, that's true," he said. "Of course, up front we want to have a good season again and hopefully we can score many goals. We are all young and, when you are the same age together, you have the same interests. "They [Messi, Suarez and Neymar] are three very good players, hey are three of the best strikers in the world. We will try our best to be good and move on to that level. "Gabriel, of course, is a special player but he is also very young. When he came over from Brazil, he was exciting on the pitch and really pleased to play for Manchester City and everyone could see it. He is a very special player for us."
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