Manchester City’s players will be watching the Champions League last eight draw from the comfort of a luxury hotel in sun-drenched Abu Dhabi and will not fear any opponent.
In previous years, City fans and players would be hoping to avoid Europe’s big guns, but such is the influence Pep Guardiola has had in such a short time at the club that it is City who will be feared.
With the possibility of an all English tie, only Liverpool will hold any trepidation for some City fans, but over two legs Guardiola and his charges will be confident of winning.
Holders Real Madrid can never be written off, but even the win over PSG cannot disguise a poor season. Zinedine Zidane needs to win the trophy to save his job (and even that may not be enough) and while they still have more than enough match winners in their ranks, a two-legged tie with City would test their mettle to the full.
Similarly, Bayern Munich still have quality in abundance but do not seem to hold the same threat they once did, with aging stars Robben and Ribery no longer the players they used to be.
Of course Lewandowski, James, Muller and co have the ability on any given day to beat anybody, but without Manuel Neur and a backline lacking pace City would be more than confident of hurting Bayern.
The swagger and verve with which City play will test any side in Europe. Real Madrid and Barcelona like to impose themselves on opponents with their full backs playing high up the pitch but City know they have the ability and confidence to push both sides back.
Juventus would give City a stern test but over two legs Guardiola’s men would be confident of getting past Chiellini and co.
Roma are a good side and feature two ex-City stalwarts in Dzeko and Kolorov (which is always danger) but the blues would be confident of seeing them off, while it is difficult to see how Sevilla could triumph despite their win over United.
And without a game until the end of March City will enjoy their warm weather training in Abu Dhabi where some of City’s stars are expected to make a timely return from injury.
Benjamin Mendy should be fully fit for the run in following his ACL injury that has ruled him out since September.
Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph should also return from minor complaints for the Premier League game against Everton.
Following the win over Stoke City now know two wins will clinch the Premier League trophy allowing them to concentrate on the Champions League and potentially rest key players ahead of the mid-week ties.
Whoever City draw on Friday morning, it will be their opponents who will be ruing their luck.
