Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has warned his club can only truly by considered as one of the European elite if they enjoy success over a lengthy period.
The Citizens are preparing for a Champions League last-16 tie second leg at home to Schalke, with the men from Manchester holding a 3-2 lead for the first game in Gelsenkirchen.
We are teenagers in the competition - that is what I feel.
Pep Guardiola
However, even if City should progress and go all the way in the competition this season, Guardiola admits that they are still some way behind the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
He told reporters: "We could win and make another step, but you need 20 to 30 years.
"We cannot deny if we arrive in the (latter) stages, we can take a step forward, but I think to compare to those kind of teams, one silverware doesn't change it. We are teenagers in the competition - that is what I feel.
"We want to win it, we push ourselves. You have to dream and point as high as possible.
"Pressure for me is doing a good job, compete better, reduce our mistakes. It is a competition that punishes your mistakes a lot, especially because of the quality of the opponents."
City's best showing in the Champions League came in the 2015/16 season, when they reached the semi-finals, where they were edged out 1-0 on aggregate by eventual winners Real Madrid.
The Citizens can be backed at 1/6 to defeat Schalke in 90 minutes on Tuesday evening, while they are 6/1 to win the game 3-0 in 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, Guardiola's side are 9/4 to win the Champions League this season, with Manchester United priced at 10/1.
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Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has warned his club can only truly by considered as one of the European elite if they enjoy success over a lengthy period.
The Citizens are preparing for a Champions League last-16 tie second leg at home to Schalke, with the men from Manchester holding a 3-2 lead for the first game in Gelsenkirchen.
We are teenagers in the competition - that is what I feel.
Pep Guardiola
However, even if City should progress and go all the way in the competition this season, Guardiola admits that they are still some way behind the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
He told reporters: "We could win and make another step, but you need 20 to 30 years.
"We cannot deny if we arrive in the (latter) stages, we can take a step forward, but I think to compare to those kind of teams, one silverware doesn't change it. We are teenagers in the competition - that is what I feel.
"We want to win it, we push ourselves. You have to dream and point as high as possible.
"Pressure for me is doing a good job, compete better, reduce our mistakes. It is a competition that punishes your mistakes a lot, especially because of the quality of the opponents."
City's best showing in the Champions League came in the 2015/16 season, when they reached the semi-finals, where they were edged out 1-0 on aggregate by eventual winners Real Madrid.
The Citizens can be backed at 1/6 to defeat Schalke in 90 minutes on Tuesday evening, while they are 6/1 to win the game 3-0 in 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, Guardiola's side are 9/4 to win the Champions League this season, with Manchester United priced at 10/1.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com