Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez says if they don’t win the Champions League this season, they will win it next term.
But the Algerian midfielder knows they have to get past Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in their first leg quarterfinal tie first.
Playing the first Champions League match at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday evening, Mahrez says: “Winning it [the Champions League] would be really incredible.
“I’ve always wanted to win this type of competition. If it’s not this year, I think it will be next year, and we’ll do everything to try to win it.
“We’ll have to beat Tottenham first and then we’ll see.”
CREATOR: Kevin de Bruyne. Photo: Jon Super/Reuters.
Of their match against Spurs, he adds: “It’ll be a very tough tie, but I think we’ll be ready.
“We know them, they know us as well. We’ve already faced them many times and we’ve already beaten them, but maybe knowing each other very well could also be a disadvantage.”
For them to get the better of their hosts, Mahrez says everyone will have to be at the top of their game at Spurs' new stadium.
He explains: “Everyone has done their bit [so far this season], whether it’s scoring goals, registering assists or defending well, and as the coach says, we need everyone - that’s how you can get to the next level.
“I think we have a superb squad of players, with so much quality and a wonderful coach, so everything is in place for us to go all the way.”