Manchester City can write their names into the history books by reaching the Champions League final, according to midfielder Fernando.
Fernando, 28, is set to start Tuesday's semifinal first leg against Real Madrid alongside Brazilian compatriot Fernandinho after Yaya Toure was ruled out with a muscle injury.
It will be City's first ever European Cup semifinal while Madrid will be playing in their 27th, but Fernando believes his side can go even further.
"It's a great competition, the best in the world and we have reached the semifinals, so we want to do our best and try to reach the final, to write our name in history," he told reporters.
"It's a cup in which every player wants to play, and one everyone wants to win, so I am pleased to be here.
"It will be difficult against Real Madrid but we also have great players who are in a good moment and I hope we can surprise them at home and then go and have a great game in Madrid as well."
Fernando could be key as a defensive midfielder with Madrid having so many attacking options.
It is a complete turnaround in fortunes for the former Porto player, who struggled in his first season at the club, making just 11 Premier League starts.
He made an error in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg with Paris Saint-Germain -- gifting an equaliser to Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- but made up for it with a fine performance in the second leg as City knocked out the French champions.
"I am in a great moment and it's great I can help the team, to prove I am stable, and physically and mentally well," he said.
And Fernando is looking forward to facing Cristiano Ronaldo again if the Portuguese shakes off a thigh strain to play at the Etihad Stadium.
He faced Ronaldo in 2009 with Porto -- when the Madrid man was at Manchester United -- and earned the nickname "The Octopus" as he was all over Old Trafford making challenges.
"It was a great game I had against United and I hope on Tuesday it will be the same, against a great team like Real Madrid," Fernando said.
"We know Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world, but the best approach is to focus and try to do our best, and hope he is not having his best night ever. I am never happy if a player can't play because of an injury. They will do their best, with or without him."