Mahrez: Personality is key to Champions League success | OneFootball

Riyad Mahrez believes Manchester City will be contenders to win the UEFA Champions League, if we play with the same personality we did in Wednesday’s win over Paris Saint-Germain.

It was a memorable night at the Etihad as City delivered a fine performance to deservedly beat the Ligue 1 leaders, a result that saw us confirmed as Group A winners with a game to spare.

It was the fifth season in succession we have topped our Champions League qualifying group – and the ninth straight year we have made it through to the last-16.

Having reached our maiden final last season, Mahrez, who was outstanding against PSG, says there’s a strong desire to go one further this time around.

“[Wednesday] was good for the team,” he said. “We won the game and made a very good game, so we are happy.

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“We want to win [the Champions League], for sure. It is a great competition, and we want to be there at the end.

“Obviously, you have to go through these types of games and if we show the personality that we showed on Wednesday and the way we played, I think we can be there at the end.”

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City's next assignment sees a return to Premier League action, with West Ham United the visitors on Sunday.

We currently sit second in the table, three points behind leaders Chelsea, as our quest for a fourth title in five years continues.

Mahrez says he is pleased with where City are as we head into December, but admits the Premier League gets tougher to win every single year.

“We have had a very good start," he said. "We are second, three points behind Chelsea. We will keep going as it is a long season and we will see.

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"Every season is more competitive, that is why we always say it. Last season was difficult, this season was more difficult and the next season it will be more difficult.

"We know the challenge and we are ready. We are going to give everything to be there at the end.”

Meanwhile, Mahrez is impressed with the quality of the young players our Academy is producing.

Phil Foden is now a fixture in Pep Guardiola's side and is considered one of the world's finest talents, and Cole Palmer has emerged this season, too, scoring his first Champions League goal away at Club Brugge before making his full Premier League debut against Everton last weekend.

And with James McAtee also coming off the bench against the Merseysiders, the future looks very bright for City.

Mahrez says their quality is immediately clear.

“I think they are very good talents," he said. "Technically very good. It is good because it is very good for the first team.

"They train with us all of the time and some of them play.

"I hope to see more talents like this, it is very good.”