City’s Begiristain wary of Kyiv threat
And Begiristain was keen to offer a reminder that the Premier League team remain relative newcomers to elite European competition, despite the considerable resources at their disposal.
Manchester City face a tough task if they are to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time despite being drawn against Dynamo Kyiv in the round of 16 in this season’s competition, according to sporting director Txiki Begiristain.
City fans are happy at being paired with Dynamo in the last 16 of the Champions League after drawing Barcelona in the previous two seasons.
Dynamo drew 0-0 with Chelsea in Ukraine and lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and went through at the expense of Porto, courtesy of a surprise 2-0 away win in Portugal.
Dynamo Kyiv qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament by virtue of finishing second in Group G, behind leaders Chelsea. It’ll be heating up in the Premier League then, clubs will be playing twice a week which will also will be significant.
“We’ll open the year with Champions League matches”. At least we play in England – it’s not the same, but it’s close.
“It’s never easy, again in this round”, Begiristain told BT Sport. Were ready to try and improve in this competition and grow.
“They will play football and it’s 11 v 11”.
“On the pitch it is 11 against 11 and they can show the people that they are strong and are fighting for something”. The only thing we lack is the experience of such important clashes.
