Europe's finest will fear Manchester City in Champions League knockout stages, says Manuel Pellegrini We have a strong squad and we will see who we will play in February, but I can assure you that, whoever we draw, they will not be very happy to play against us. Under Roberto Mancini, City failed twice to escape the group stage, prompting Pellegrini to admit the importance for the club in finally clearing the hurdle. "We are very happy because this is an achievement in the history of the club," Pellegrini said. You can see from the last two years it is not easy, and yet two games before the end, we are in the round of 16, and that is great for the fans and the whole club. For now, of course we are going to try and top the group. It is important to try and do that, and we will keep trying to the end to get above Bayern. In a game which had been overshadowed by the racist abuse directed at City midfielder Yaya Touré during the 2-1 victory against CSKA in Moscow earlier this month, Greater Manchester Police reported just three arrests - for scuffling between CSKA supporters - and no racially-linked incidents. Touré admitted that the behaviour of the City fans at the Etihad was an example to the visiting Russian supporters. "We must say thank you to the fans today," Touré said. They showed the fans of CSKA how to support a team.