Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri believes Manchester City have an excellent chance of winning the Champions League this season.

Pep Guardiola’s side only managed to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League last year after being knocked out by Liverpool, but the Blues boss feels the Citizens have a good shot of going all the way, with Serie A champions Juventus close challengers:

“This season, there are two candidates to win the Champions League: Juve and Manchester City. I always thought Pep Guardiola’s side was mature enough for the final step on the European stage, but then we’ll have to see how the Spanish clubs are doing in March. Things change quickly in the Champions League.”

City didn’t get off to the best of starts in this season’s competition after suffering a shock 2-1 home defeat to Lyon in the opening round of fixtures but with decent odds on them still available at Sportskokladenje24.com they have to still be considered a good bet.

However, they fought back from an early setback against Hoffenheim in the second group match, to win 2-1 win away from home. The Manchester club face Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday week after the international break.

The Ukrainian side defeated City at home in last season’s group stage, but at the time Pep Guardiola opted to rest a number of his key players after his side had already qualified for the knockout rounds.

This time around you would expect Guardiola to take things very seriously especially after suffering their first loss last season to Shakhtar and after their earlier hiccup to Lyon.

The Lyon loss could yet prove to be the early wake up call City needed and the City faithful will be hoping that is the case as the club chase their elusive first Champions League win.