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KIEV, Ukraine -- Pablo Zabaleta insists Manchester City have their best ever opportunity to progress in the Champions League ahead of Wednesday's clash with Dynamo Kiev. City have never been beyond the round of 16 in their five Champions League campaigns, losing twice to Spanish giants Barcelona on both occasions they have reached the knockout stages. While Zabaleta is keen not to underestimate the threat of the Ukrainian champions, the Argentina defender says this season represents their best hope of reaching the quarterfinals. "We know we've been playing against the best teams in Europe," he told a news conference. "In the last four years we've been learning a lot about the way you must play in these games. "We played the best team in the world at this stage for the last two years -- I'm not going to say that it is going to be easy, they have the mentality to play in these types of games as they've played in this competition before many times. The only way to do this is to perform well on Wednesday and then finish it at the Etihad." Zabaleta is among a number of City players in their 30s who face an uncertain future with new manager Pep Guardiola set to arrive in the summer. But he refused to be drawn over whether it will be his and some of his teammates' last chance of success in Europe with the club. "It's a competition in which we've reached the last-16 for the last two years. Now is a chance to make a step forward," he said. "We know this club is making a lot of effort to bring in top players. We know we are 100 percent focused on what is a big chance for us to continue in the tournament. We need to perform well and see if we can get a result." The game will be Dynamo's first since Dec. 9 because of a winter break in the Ukrainian League. Meanwhile, City have played 16 games in that time. However, City boss Manuel Pellegrini rested several senior players at the weekend in the 5-1 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea and Zabaleta insists they will be refreshed for the game. "[Dynamo] have had a long break and the chance to have a good rest and the chance to get some players back from injury," he added. "We've played a lot of games in January and February but I think that we will see players who've had a rest last weekend. Physically and mentally we must be fresh for tomorrow and play at 100 percent."
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