David Silva and Sergio Aguero are both in line to feature for Manchester City in the Champions League against Bayern Munich tonight.
It is a daunting task for City, who slumped to defeat against Aston Villa at the weekend, and will now have to lift themselves against the most powerful squad in European club football, if they are to keep their dream of making it out of the group stage alive.
Both Silva and Aguero have been out injured, but their availability could prove vital against the Bayern juggernaut at the Etihad, where manager Manuel Pellegrini insists he will set City out to win.
“For me it was very important to win the first three points we played against Viktoria Plzen. The second thing is to try and win our points here at home. Bayern are a very strong team but we are also in a very good moment,” the Chilean said ahead of the game.
“We never think about a draw. Of course if we cannot win, it is better to draw than lose. We will go from the first minute to try and win the three points.”
Bayern boss Pep Guardiola has warned that if City do make it out of the group stage for the first time, they must be considered dark horses to win the entire competition.
Citing the performance of finalists Borussia Dortmund last season, Guardiola says City have what it takes to be considered dangerous European outsiders.
"In the last years they have made big steps forward – they won the Premier League, they won titles,” Pep said of City.
“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 [for many seasons]. 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% confident they will get through.
"I know some of their players, [David] Silva, [Alvaro] Negredo and Yaya [Toure] – incredible squad, played very well so far. [The match] will be a big test for us."
Meanwhile, Guardiola has refused to take Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s bait, after the smouldering Swede again accused him of cowardice over the way he was dropped for Lionel Messi when he played under Pep at Barcelona.
"This is not the time or place to discuss that,” Pep said of Ibra’s scorn. I might talk about it in the future but not today."
