Fernandinho is convinced Manchester City can be competitive in the Champions League despite their 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
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Former City defender Jerome Boateng struck a deflected winner for Pep Guardiola's side with just moments remaining at the Allianz Arena after it seemed that Joe Hart had secured a point for the visitors with a string of impressive saves.
It was a late blow for the Premier League champions, who hope to challenge for the crown this time after failing to progress from the group stage two seasons in a row.
Bayern's dominance over 90 minutes meant victory was not undeserved, but City showed resilience and had chances of their own -- and 29-year-old Fernandinho believes City can build on their performance in Germany.
When asked whether City could take positives from the defeat, the Brazil international said: "I think so, especially like we have played here. We played well. We created some chances to score goals, we [could have] had a penalty. Unfortunately we conceded the goal at the end of the game.
"But in the Champions League you have to keep the concentration to the end, then we wouldn't get beaten or concede a goal.''
City duo Edin Dzeko and David Silva had good chances -- with the latter having a strong penalty appeal rejected -- but the result leaves them already playing catch-up in Group E, with their next opponents Roma having opened their campaign with a 5-1 win over CSKA Moscow.
#INSERT type:image caption:Jerome Boateng's last-gasp winner ensured City face a tough task reaching the group stages. END#
First the attention must switch back to their Premier League title defence and a tough clash against leaders and favourites Chelsea on Sunday.
The match may also be important for confidence as City have now not won in three games, with the Munich loss coming after a defeat by Stoke and a draw at Arsenal.
"That is not easy [to take] for a big team such as City, but the best way to recover our confidence and our best qualities is to win the next game," Fenandinho continued.
"Already we think about the Chelsea game. We have to win this game because we have had a draw against Arsenal and a loss at home to Stoke.
"We have to recover points to think about the top of the table."
Fernandinho had a busy night at the Allianz Arena, having to drop back to bolster the defence as Bayern mounted wave after wave of attack.
The midfielder enjoyed a successful first season at City last term, but says he has been easing his way back into action after his involvement in the World Cup: "I tried to recover my best fitness and form because I arrived a little bit late after the World Cup, and have tried to recover my best performance. This was the first game I have played 90 minutes.
"For me the Champions League is a little bit special. I have to play in this competition. I give 100 percent always and this wasn't different."
#INSERT type:image caption:Joe art's inspired performance almost secured City a vital point on Wednesday. END#
There was no doubt who City's star performer was, with Hart producing a string of brilliant saves to deny the likes of Thomas Muller, David Alaba, Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze.
It looked like being his night when he made another fine one-handed stop to deny Boateng with the clock ticking down, only for his former teammate to get lucky with another strike moments later.
Hart's loss of form last autumn led to a short spell out of the side and questions have persisted over his consistency since, yet Fernandinho believes in the goalkeeper's talents.
"He showed his best quality," he added. "He showed why he is the No.1 for England."