Manchester City supervisor Pep Guardiola says his side are “almost in the Champions League” after a 5-0 win over Steaua Bucharest in the play-off round.
Sergio Aguero scored a cap trap, in the wake of missing two punishments, with David Silva and Nolito likewise scoring.
The City has the Romanian champions next Wednesday at Etihad Stadium in the second leg of the tie.
“We are very pleased about the way we played. The quality of our players is fantastic,” Guardiola said.
The Spaniard, who supplanted Manuel Pellegrini in the late spring, has won two Champions League titles with Barcelona, however, did not lift the trophy in three years with Bayern Munich.
City, who have never won the competition, entered at the last qualifying stage this season in the wake of completing fourth in the Premier League last term.
“I thank Manchester City for giving me the opportunity to train these amazing players,” Guardiola said.
“I enjoy every day in Manchester. I am confident we can make a step forward to make people proud of us.”
Aguero has now missed four of his previous five punishments for City in European rivalry, yet Guardiola is not wanting to take him off spot-kicks.
“I am confident if he’s confident,” he said. “It’s not important how many times you fall down, it’s how many times you stand up and try again.”
Britain winger Raheem Sterling, 21, has awed so far under Guardiola after a troublesome first season at City.
He won a punishment – which Aguero changed over – in the opening-day 2-1 win against Sunderland. In Bucharest, he was fouled for the primary punishment Aguero missed and set up objectives for Silva and the Argentine.
“Now he is playing really good,” Guardiola told. “But he’s young and has to learn a lot.
“He has a lot of quality, he’s fast, has a good work ethic, can play right or left, go out to the line or go in the middle.
“That’s why Manchester City were so clever to buy him last season.”
