Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain: Pellegrini has total belief in Champions League glory

Manuel Pellegrini insists Manchester City can make Champions League history as they prepare for their quarter-final second leg with Paris Saint-Germain.

City, who have reached the last eight of Europe's top tournament for the first time, secured a slender advantage from the first leg in France as Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho away goals earned a 2-2 draw.

But the Chilean manager is adamant his side have shown they have the quality to compete with the very best, saying on Saturday: "Of course I think they can do it. We're improving. In the first season we deserved to be at least in the semi-finals.

"We were a good team and beat good teams. That is why we won the Premier League and the Capital One Cup.

"Why can't we believe? Why would the players not believe, because they are feeling every season they are doing better? We have received a lot of criticism that we don't know how to play in Europe but we know how to play in Europe."

PSG responded to last week's draw with a comfortable 2-0 Ligue 1 win over Guingamp, Laurent Blanc opting to rest a number of first-team players ahead of the trip to Manchester, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani, Thiago Motta and Thiago Silva.

"This morning, I've watched it once again and I assure you that we should have won that game," he said. "But we didn't. We should stop talking about this.

"We have to plan the next game, a second leg that will be as difficult as the first one, but I think we are able to do something."

The home side could welcome back captain Vincent Kompany from a calf problem, while David Silva is expected to return after being rested for Saturday's 2-1 win over West Brom. Raheem Sterling (groin) is still out but Sergio Aguero should be fit despite picking up a knock.

Samir Nasri, who scored the winner on his comeback from injury against Tony Pulis' side, is ineligible.

 

- The two previous encounters between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain both ended in draws: 0-0 in the UEFA Cup group stages in December 2008 and 2-2 in this season's quarter-final first leg.
- The last three Champions League knockout encounters between Ligue 1 and Premier League clubs have all seen the French team eliminate their English counterpart.
- Manchester City have kept fewer clean sheets than any other of the 2015-16 quarter-finalists in this season's Champions League (one in nine games).
- PSG have won only one of their seven away games against English opposition, it was on their last trip to Chelsea in March (2-1).
- PSG have scored at least two goals in each of their last five Champions League games.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored in each of his last five Champions League games. He has never scored in six matches in a row in the competition.