Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is confident of an extended run in the Champions League this season.
Guardiola believes his side will be determined to make amends after their frustrating quarter-final exit at the hands of Lyon last term.
City can secure their place in the knockout stages for an eighth consecutive year with victory over Olympiacos in Greece on Wednesday.
“I don’t know why but I’ve felt it from the beginning. I expect a reaction after last season when we finished against Lyon in Portugal. We know what we have to do.”
City have looked comfortable in Europe this term, winning their opening three matches in Group C.
Their Premier League form has been a different matter, with points dropped in five of their first eight games, but Guardiola also expects that to turn around.
“The way we play is quite good, I’m quite happy. The little details we still have to improve. We conceded penalties that are not necessary, sometimes we need clear chances to score.
“But the moment we break one or two of these kind of things we will get better. The season is still young and I’m fully optimistic we are going to do a good season.”
“It’s not an obsession,” he said. “I say it every season, we are going to try our best.”
The intensity of the English fixture list this shortened season could work against the Premier League clubs in Europe, however, and Guardiola recognises this is another obstacle that must be overcome.
He said: “Every season this league is (at a) disadvantage with the rest of the leagues, not just in this special year with Covid-19, for that we’ve had to adapt to.
“But that is attractive and the challenge is this one. When you are able to do it, that is nice.”
Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy are all back in contention for City after recent lay-offs.
