Manchester City and Manuel Pellegrini face European champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday night with a ringing endorsement from the man plotting their downfall, Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola, who took charge of the German giants in the summer, is hugely impressed by the progress made by City in recent years and is a big fan of their manager Pellegrini.
City are trying to make an impression in the Champions League this season after two previous failures but face a stern test of their credentials against Bayern in a Group D clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola, who won the competition twice in charge of Barcelona, is convinced City will soon make their mark.
The Catalan, himself linked with City before taking over in Munich, said: "Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in Europe. I think they have made big steps forward.
"My impression is if they qualify, Manchester City will be one of the toughest teams in the next round.
"The same happened with Borussia Dortmund last season. They qualified for the next round for the first time and went on to the final.
"I think the same can happen for Manchester City. I don't know if I'm right but I have this feeling."
Pellegrini came up against Guardiola's Barcelona teams during his time at Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga but never once got the better of him in eight encounters.
Guardiola is not reading too much into that ahead of what he believes will be a tough game.
Source: PA
