Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is confident that Manchester City can win the Champions League this season after beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final showdown.
Kevin De Bruyne netted the only goal of the game in the second half at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening to put City in the driving seat ahead of the second leg in the Spanish capital next Wednesday. The Blues were forced to be extremely patient against Diego Simeone's side, who set up with little intention of winning the contest.
Should City get the job done, they will face either Chelsea or Real Madrid in the semi-final for a place in a second consecutive final at the end of May. Pep Guardiola's side reached the final of the competition for the very first time last season and were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in Porto.
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Considered as one of the best teams in the world, City are determined to make a name for themselves on the European stage and win their inaugural Champions League crown. And for Gundogan, the club needs to win the competition to be considered as the "best team in the world."
Speaking to Turkish TV channel Tivibu Spor, Gundogan said: "I think we are among the best teams in the world, but everyone has their own opinion on who the best team is. We are very happy with the football we play.
"I think we are playing at a high level. We have an incredible manager and I believe we are a very special team.
"But to be the best team in the world, we need to win the Champions League trophy. We can do it this season.
"It is an important and big goal for us. All my career I've dreamed of winning it. We can go to the final this season and win."
Despite taking a 1-0 lead into next week's second leg with Atletico, nothing can be taken for granted in the Champions League. The finest of margins can decide between success and failure.
"The pressure is always there in the Champions League," Gundogan continued. "It is possible to make up for the losses as there are 38 games in the Premier League.
"But the margin for error in the Champions League is very low. You have no chance of mistakes in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
"We did a good job on the way to the final last season, but unfortunately we couldn't beat Chelsea in the final. The important thing is to try again every season.
"This season is also a chance for us. We are in the quarter-finals right now."
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