Wednesday 13 April 2016 12:48, UK
Manchester City are in uncharted territory having seen off Paris St Germain to book their place among the Champions League last four for the first time.
Even the quarter-finals were new to Manuel Pellegrini's men so there's plenty of excitement around the Etihad Stadium now City are within one tie of next month's final in Milan.
City's Premier League form has been unconvincing but there is talent in the squad. So what are their chances of lifting the trophy for the first time in the club's history?
REASONS FOR HOPE…
The Aguero factor
He might have missed from the penalty spot against Paris St Germain but Sergio Aguero still holds the key for Manchester City. The Argentine is closing in on 100 Premier League goals despite having made only 127 starts and - crucially - is capable of making the difference against anyone.
Aguero scored a hat-trick against Bayern Munich last season, has found the net in a Madrid derby and scored the winner for Atletico in a 4-3 win over Barcelona. He has the pedigree, the pace and the quality - and with Kevin De Bruyne in support, City will always have a chance.
Big-game mentality
Talk of this City group being inexperienced in Europe always rankled given the age and knowledge of the players within the squad. If anything, this Champions League bid represents a last hurrah - which perhaps explains why they've produced some of their best performances in the competition.
A challenge such as this could suit City more than the grind of delivering week in and week out in the Premier League. After all, Vincent Kompany doesn't need to be fit for a whole season to make the Champions League dream come true - just three more European matches would do.
Luck of the draw
Bayern Munich and Barcelona could still go through on Wednesday evening and remain highly fancied, but Real Madrid showed enough signs of vulnerability in their 3-2 aggregate win over Wolfsburg to provide City with hope. Real certainly wouldn't relish a night at the Etihad.
A clash with Manuel Pellegrini's old club might well be the favoured option. For while defeating Bayern or Barca over two legs would be a tough task, a one-off tie in Milan might be another story. The luck of the draw offers opportunities.
REASONS FOR CONCERN
Away-day issues
Curiously, City have saved some of their strongest away performances for the Champions League this season - winning at Sevilla, Borussia Monchengladbach and Dynamo Kiev even before their vital 2-2 draw in Paris. But domestically, the warning signs are there.
City have won only three of their last nine away games in the Premier League - against Watford, Sunderland and Bournemouth - and a truly convincing performance against high-class opposition on their travels still eludes them. It'll be needed in their Champions League semi-final.
Defensive doubts
Shutting out PSG with the pressure on was a hugely encouraging effort from the much-maligned City defence with Nicolas Otamendi, in particular, taking the plaudits for his performance. But there can be no denying that doubts remain regarding the resolve of City's back-line.
The hapless defending for PSG's equaliser in Paris was extraordinary but also strangely typical of this side too. With Kompany injured, Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala still seeking consistency and Martin Demichelis seemingly past his best, would these frailties eventually be exposed by the very best?
Tough at the top
Perhaps that's the biggest obstacle standing in City's way now - the sheer quality of their remaining opponents in the competition. For all the undoubted ability in City's line-up, they are among the absolute elite now and the demands are great.
As a result, it's perfectly possible that Pellegrini's men could do just about everything right in a semi-final and still fall short. But after edging past Paris St Germain, excitement is growing and the only thing that matters is that City are still in with a shot.
