Begiristain: City have a tough task against Dynamo Kyiv
Manuel Pellegrini’s men were handed a favourable draw in the last 16 of the competition as they avoided the likes of Paris Saint-Germain.
Manchester City will play a Champions League game behind closed doors for the second successive year after being drawn against Dynamo Kyiv in the knockout stages.
City have reached the last-16 twice before, although they were comfortably beaten 4-1 and 3-1 on aggregate by Barcelona both occasions.
‘The weather sometimes doesn’t help but we have to be ready. City are a solid team, but we have played them before and had success.
The controversial Italian striker was then sent off in the return at the Etihad for a karate kick on Goran Popov.
City will travel to Ukraine in February for the last-16 first-leg clash at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium – but the 70,000-seat venue will be empty because of a ban imposed on Kyiv.
Begiristain claims City must focus on events on the pitch and not underestimate Dynamo.
Begiristain, who was a Champions League victor as a player in 1992 and was on Barca’s staff when they won the competition in 2006 and 2009, is not taking progress for granted. Its going to be tough. They will want to show people they’re strong, that they are fighting for something. Theyre in the Last 16 so we know they are good.
Begiristain added: “We are improving and getting experience in the competition”.