Pablo Zabaleta certain of Manchester City's Champions League improvement

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta is confident that his side can make up for their recent poor campaigns in the Champions League this season.

The Citizens have failed to progress from the group stages of the competition over the past two years and were unable to record a single victory when pitted against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax last term.

However, City have been dealt a kind draw this time around despite having to face defending champions Bayern Munich, and Zabaleta believes that his side have learned from their past shortcomings.

"I think it is another chance for this club, for this team, to do better in the Champions League," Zabaleta said in a press conference. "From what happened the last two years in the Champions League, I think we learned and hopefully we will do better.

"It is not an easy group - I am not saying this - but maybe if you compare this group with the last two years, it is a bit better.

"We believe in this team and I think we have got a great chance to qualify for the next round. It is important to win tonight, to try to get three points. To start winning is important because then we have got Bayern Munich at home."

Manchester City get their Champions League campaign underway on Tuesday when they travel to Czech champions Viktoria Plzen in Group D.