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Toure targets Champions League glory

Yaya Toure has said Premier League champions Manchester City's next aim is to win the Champions League.

#INSERT type:image caption:Toure wants to add the Champions League trophy to his collection. END#

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The Ivory Coast midfielder scored a career-best 20 league goals to help City become champions of England for the second time in three seasons.

But they have struggled to find the same sort of success in Europe and, after back-to-back group stage exits, reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time this season.

Toure, a Champions League winner in 2009 during his time at Barcelona, has set his sights on repeating that feat with his current club.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, he said: "Next year I think we will try to bounce back, try to qualify for the first round and second round try to get it. For me the target is to go far and win the Champions League."

Toure's teammate Martin Demichelis was sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium, but the Argentine believes he has proved his critics wrong in recent months.

The centre-back was a summer signing from Atletico Madrid and went on to replace Matija Nastasic in manager Manuel Pellegrini's first-choice side. After a tough start, he delivered fine performances towards the end of the Premier League campaign.

"That's the story of my life, going through difficult moments, but now I'm doubly proud because I had a very difficult first four months because of injury," he told Sky Sports News.

"Now, though, it is a great feeling to show everyone I can be an important player. This season has been difficult, but now I have belief and confidence that there are good things to come. Now I can prepare for pre-season and hopefully another successful campaign."