3 reasons Manchester City can go all the way and win the Champions League

Last season’s experience vital

City’s record in the Champions League, since they started qualifying for it regularly in 2011, has been pretty poor.

Two last 16 appearances and two group stage exits wasn’t reflective of the quality in the City side, but they got it together last year under Manuel Pellegrini, and reached the semi-finals.

They negotiated a tricky group, which included Juventus and Sevilla, and then got past Dynamo Kiev and Paris Saint-Germain before succumbing to Real Madrid in the last four.

Nevertheless, as many of that City side remain at the Etihad, that experience of going deep last season and matching the top sides will be invaluable going into this season’s knock-out phase, should they get through the group.

Having that know-how on getting to the latter stages could seriously benefit Guardiola’s men if and when they get there again.