Champions League

Manchester City director Txiki Begiristain wary of Dynamo Kiev threat

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 14 December 2015

Director of football Txiki Begiristain warns that Manchester City's last-16 Champions League tie with Dynamo Kiev is far from easy.

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain has insisted that Dynamo Kiev is not an easy draw in the last 16 of the Champions League.

City nabbed first place in Group D last week to be one of the top seeds in today's draw and they avoided a difficult draw against Paris Saint-Germain, who will instead face Chelsea for the third year in a row.

Kiev finished second in Group G behind Chelsea, losing only once in the group stage, but it is a better draw than the last two years when City faced Barcelona both seasons in the last 16, losing 4-1 in 2014 and 3-1 earlier this year.

Despite the seemingly favourable draw, Begiristain was quick to say that it would not be easy against the Ukrainian side.

"It's never easy – they've shown have a good side by beating Porto and drawing with Chelsea," Begiristain told BT Sport.

"It's going to be difficult for us but the most important thing is that we show we're improving in this competition and we'll fight to get to the quarters.

"The weather sometimes doesn't help but we have to be ready. At least we play in England – it's not the same but it's close. We're ready to try and improve in this competition and grow."

The first leg will be played behind closed doors in Kiev on February 24 due to a UEFA racism sanction before the second leg at the Etihad on March 15 next year.