Raheem Sterling backs Manchester City to go deep in Champions League
Thursday 10 December 2015 09:38, UK
Raheem Sterling says confidence is growing at Manchester City that the club can make a real impact in the Champions League this season.
Manuel Pellegrini's side came from behind to beat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 on Tuesday - with Sterling scoring two goals on his 21st birthday - and top Group D ahead of Juventus.
The result ensured City will avoid Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the last 16 and Sterling believes that will help them build momentum in the competition.
"It gives us massive belief," he said. "We all know this is a team that is going to score goals. We just have to be more solid on the whole and keep more teams at bay.
"I think it is just a matter of time and working on it as a team. Definitely it's paying off and hopefully we can carry that on to the next round.
"It was just trying to avoid probably some of the big guns in the next round and trying to get a good draw, as we know we can probably do it over two legs against most teams. We are just waiting for the draw now and will see who we get and take it from there."
City's form prior to Tuesday evening had been patchy with just two wins in six games - with Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Stoke seeing them knocked off the top of the Premier League - and Sterling says it is important they are focused on domestic matters when they take on Swansea on Saturday.
"It is always difficult, especially when the results haven't been going your way of late," he added.
"But there is a good character in the changing room, everyone was up for it. We showed great character and enthusiasm to get back and win the game.
"Stoke was a real disappointment but going into the game against Swansea, we know we can (bounce back). We just need to play our football and not concentrate on what is going on elsewhere in the league."
