The Bayern Munich coach, whose team face City at the Etihad Stadium in this evening’s second match of the phase, pointed to Borussia Dortmund’s success in reaching last season’s final.
That followed many years of Dortmund failing to emerge from the opening stages. Of City, Guardiola said: “In the last years they have made big steps forward – they won the Premier League, they won titles. This year would be the first time to qualify for the knockout stages. If they get through they will be one of the toughest teams in the next round.
“Like Dortmund last season, it was the first time they qualified. I have the same feeling it can happen. City are one of the biggest clubs in Europe – they didn’t get through in the last two seasons but I am 100 per cent confident they will get through.
"I know some of their players, Silva, Negredo and Yaya – incredible squad, played very well so far. Tomorrow will be a big test for us."
'Can't buy quality'
However, Arjen Robben, who scored the winner in Bayern's 2-1 Champions League final victory over Dortmund in May, warned that money cannot buy success. "They are not the only club with a lot of money in Europe but you can't buy quality; I think you have to build a team. Having enough good players will give you a chance of hitting the jackpot at some point. If you look at the last two Champions League seasons, they have had difficult groups but they have the potential to progress well."
Guardiola spent a year on sabbatical following a successful four seasons at Barcelona, which included winning two European Cups, and would not be drawn on City’s rumoured interest in him becoming manager towards the end of last season.
“The moment I received a call from Bayern I decided to go there,” he said. “I am happy to be at my club. I am lucky guy, I am at one of the best clubs in the world. My desire is to have the best work I can. I did my best in Barcelona. I am 42 years old. I don’t know what will happen but I want to stay in Bayern as long as possible.”
In response to the PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s claim that Guardiola did not tell him straight that Lionel Messi would take his place at Barca, the Spaniard said: “This is not the time or place to discuss that. I might talk about it in the future but not today.”
Manuel Pellegrini's record against Guardiola is a sorry one but he gets another chance to finally put one over his tormentor tonight. During his time in La Liga the Chilean was in the opposing dugout to former Barcelona coach Guardiola on eight occasions and only avoided defeat once when his Villarreal side drew 3-3 in the Nou Camp in the 2008-09 season.
Brief stay
His brief stay at Real Madrid included two El Classico defeats by Guardiola's Barca and the trend continued at Malaga where he soaked up another four losses against the Catalans.
The furniture has been re-arranged in European soccer, however, and Pellegrini will feel his side will start as equals to Bayern who have yet to really spark under Guardiola even if they are unbeaten.
Pellegrini was head-hunted by City at the end of last season partly because of his tactical nous in the Champions League in which he had Villarreal and Malaga punching above their weight.
He has never failed to survive the group stage in his previous Champions League campaigns and City‘s opening day 3-0 win away to Viktoria Plzen has raised hopes that they can finally make their mark on the competition having twice fallen short of the knockout rounds.
Despite that emphatic victory in the Czech Republic Pellegrini‘s opening weeks in charge of City have been far from smooth with two defeats in their opening six Premier League games, the latest a 3-2 loss at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Pellegrini was baffled by his side‘s loss at Villa, having dominated for long spells, but said it would have no adverse effect on morale ahead of a visit from the European champions.
“It‘s always better to play in the Champions League when you have won the Premier League game before but the team is playing with trust and confidence so I hope we can do a good match again next Wednesday,“ he said. “In general, I was very happy with the way we played.”
City could be boosted by the return of midfielder David Silva who has been out since the end of August.
Guardiola's start at treble-winning Bayern has been efficient rather than spectacular with Saturday's 1-0 win at home to VfL Wolfsburg indicative of their form so far.
Guardian Service
