Jesus Navas reveals Manchester City believe “a very high tempo” will be key against Roma tonight.
Only one side can join Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League, but the Giallorossi, City and CSKA Moscow go into the final group games tied together on five points.
“We certainly have a squad and a team that is good enough to progress and go a lot further in this competition,” Navas told Sky Sports.
Jesus Navas reveals Manchester City believe “a very high tempo” will be key against Roma tonight.
Only one side can join Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League, but the Giallorossi, City and CSKA Moscow go into the final group games tied together on five points.
“We certainly have a squad and a team that is good enough to progress and go a lot further in this competition,” Navas told Sky Sports.
“If we can get the result we need in Italy, then it can certainly be a springboard to further European success.”
Roma drew 1-1 with Manchester City in September, but the Premier League winners are without Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, Matija Nastasic and possibly also David Silva and Vincent Kompany.
“It’s the sort of game where we have to be very intelligent. This game will not be won or lost in the opening stages. We have to be aware of that and play for the full 90 minutes,” continued Navas.
“Roma, like us, have everything to play for so it’s about going there and being very smart about how we approach the game.
“We certainly have a squad and a team that is good enough to progress and go a lot further in this competition. We take a lot of heart from the Bayern game at the Etihad last month. The fact we won in dramatic style has given us a huge boost in confidence going to Roma.
“It’s a really tough game. It’s a tough ask going there to get a result. I expect the game to be cagey and tight and the pace we have in our attack could be a key weapon.
“We want to play at a very high tempo and if we can achieve that throughout, then that could be key to our chances of breaking down the Roma defence.”
Francesco Totti scored the equaliser in Manchester after Douglas Maicon had given away an early penalty, becoming the oldest man ever to score from open play in the Champions League.
“We know the threat that Totti brings. He’s a top quality performer and has a good eye for goal,” added Navas.
“As we know from the game at the Etihad, he’s got a huge goal threat in him and we must be wary of that, but we must pay attention to all the quality player’s Roma possess in order to be fully prepared.
“The challenge for us is to think about the Roma team as a whole. We are certainly aware of what they bring as a unit but we most focus solely on our own job and the danger we can pose them.”