|
Manchester City face a tough task if they are to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time despite being drawn against Dynamo Kiev in the round of 16 in this season's competition, according to sporting director Txiki Begiristain. City, who have reached the knockout phase as group winners for the first time, have been drawn against Ukrainian opposition after being eliminated by Barcelona in each of their two previous European campaigns. The 2013-14 Premier League champions, who are playing in the Champions League for the fifth season, have had both of their forays into the knockout phase ended at the first hurdle by Barca after finishing as runners-up in their group. Dynamo drew 0-0 with Chelsea in Ukraine and lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and went through at the expense of Porto, courtesy of a surprise 2-0 away win in Portugal. Begiristain, who was a Champions League winner as a player in 1992 and was on Barca's staff when they won the competition in 2006 and 2009, is not taking progress for granted. "It's never easy, a game in this round," he told reporters. "Playing against Chelsea, they have shown they are a good side and it's going to always be difficult for us. "It's important to keep improving and growing in this competition and we are going to fight to get to the quarters." The first leg of City's tie will be played behind closed doors on Feb. 15 as part of Dynamo's punishment for racist chanting by their fans, while the winter weather in Ukraine could be a factor. "The weather sometimes doesn't help but we have to be ready," Begiristain added. "But we are ready. Ready to try and improve in this competition and grow."
|
