Football
PA Sport 10y

Txiki Begiristain bemoans 'toughest Champions League group' for City

Manchester City's director of football Txiki Begiristain insisted the club can cope with UEFA's financial fair play sanctions despite being handed the toughest draw in the Champions League.

City will face Bayern Munich -- for the third time in four years -- plus CSKA Moscow and ambitious Italian side Roma in Group E.

The Premier League champions have had to cope with a transfer spending limit of 60 million pounds plus a fine of the same level and a reduction in their Champions League squad size from 25 players to 21.

Begiristain, speaking in Monaco after the draw, said: "It has not affected us in the transfer window, we have signed the players that we wanted. I don't think it will affect us in the final result.

"We knew where we wanted to improve and we got it.''

He added that the group was the toughest of all eight in the Champions League for this season.

"Last season Bayern were first, we were second and we also played CSKA, but the fourth one was very tough, a very strong team in Roma. All the clubs try to play good football, so it will be an amazing group.

"It's a very tough group, they are all very tough. I think this is the toughest group, all the clubs try to play good football, Roma have done very well.''

Begiristain ruled out City making any more signings but said some players may leave.

He said: "Incomings no, but there are some players who need to play who will have more opportunities at other clubs.''

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