Fernandinho is confident of the Citizens’ prospects in Europe.
Following a colossal £30m to Manchester City from Shakhtar Donetsk, Fernandinho has made the ambitious claim that his new club are good enough to win the Champions League.
Since being taken over by Sheikh Mansour in 2008 City have grown and grown in stature, winning the FA Cup in 2011 and their first league title in 44 years in 2012.
Yet despite competing in the top European competition for the past two years and having a wealth of talent at their disposal, the Citizens have failed to even make it out of their group on both occasions.
In fact in this season’s tournament City didn’t manage to win a single match and finished bottom of their table with just three points from six matches.
It’s believed that failure in the Champions League was a large factor in the decision to remove Roberto Mancini from his position as manager in May and replace him with Manuel Pellegrini.
However, Fernandinho is confident that despite choking on the biggest stage City can turn their fortunes around in 2013/14 and even go on and win the competition.
“I hope it will be an excellent performance from City in the competition,” the Brazilian was quoted in the Daily Mirror.
“That would motivate the supporters and lead us to the final games of the competition.
“A cup would be incredible, and the best in Europe? I believe we can do it.”
The midfielder certainly has experience in Europe’s most elite tournament having played for Shakhtar for eight years before making the move to Eastlands.
In the latest campaign Fernandinho’s side made it to the last 16 with the 28-year-old playing in every single match.
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