Manuel Pellegrini believes Manchester City can win the Champions League after overcoming Paris St Germain to reach the semi-finals.
An impressive 2-2 draw in France was followed up yesterday as the Etihad Stadium witnessed one of City's greatest European nights.
Kevin De Bruyne's fantastic strike as the clock wound down secured a 1-0 win that rubber-stamped progress from this tough-looking quarter-final, taking City through to the final four of European club football's top competition for the first time.
Pellegrini's former club Real Madrid are potential opponents in the semi-finals, where they will be joined by either Atletico Madrid or Barcelona and the victor of the tie between Benfica and Bayern Munich.
However, such opposition does not overly concern the City boss if they can replicate their display against PSG.
"Of course," Pellegrini said when asked if he was convinced City could be crowned Europe's best.
"Of course because I think it is one of the targets of this club, to try and improve every year (in this competition). I know that we receive a lot of criticism for different reasons, but I think that we are improving every year.
"One of the targets is to win, of course, some day the Champions League. Of course, this season, next season.
"If you are in the semi-final, you know you have to play against a very big team of Europe, but playing in the way we did tonight I think that we played better than Paris St Germain. That is a very strong team with very good players.
"We have a lot of trust that we can play against anyone in the way we played tonight."
Pellegrini will be replaced by current Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium in the summer and the semi-final draw could throw-up a mouth-watering clash between City and their future manager.
"For me, exactly the same," Pellegrini said after shrugging when asked what such a tie would mean.
"It doesn't matter - it will always be a difficult team.
"Bayern Munich, if they win tomorrow, or Barcelona , Real Madrid - for me it is exactly the same.
"Interesting for whom? Interesting for whom? The media."
Laurent Blanc cut a frustrated figure after PSG failed to progress from the quarter-finals for the fourth successive season.
"I think we were not efficient in either of the games and paid the price by failing to qualify," said PSG boss, who claimed City would be "guests" in the last four.
"Well done to them. They were a good team, not particularly spectacular team, but very, very clinical, efficient team. They get the job done."
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