• Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund, Champions League

Toure: City must avoid Euro 'disaster'

Manchester City lost their Champions League opener against Real Madrid © PA Photos

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Yaya Toure says Manchester City are desperate to avoid another disastrous Champions League campaign after an early exit in the competition last year.

Premier League champions City have been handed a tough draw in Group D with Real Madrid, Ajax and Wednesday's opponents, Borussia Dortmund.

After defeat to Madrid in their opening match, Toure admits anything less than three points against the German champions would significantly damage their hopes of reaching the knockout stages for the first time.

"Hopefully it is going to be a massive game for us, Borussia Dortmund are a fantastic team," Toure said. "They work very hard in attack and defence and we know it is going to be tough and we have to deliver.

"The first year was quite hard. This can be massive for us to get to the second round. We know we are in a tough group and we have to get a good result.

"In our life we know what we have to do but we understand the position we are in because we lost in Madrid. Now we are playing the first game in the Champions League at home and we want to show our fans what we can do and produce a good result. With a team like this we can go very far in the competition."

Key battle: Summer signing Matija Nastasic seems to have settled into life in the City backline, but he will have his work cut out if he is to keep striker Robert Lewandowski quiet. The Pole, who opened his Champions League account for the season with a late goal to bag all three points against Ajax, is the danger man for Dortmund.

Player to watch: City boss Roberto Mancini has complained that Carlos Tevez's fitness has nosedived since returning from international duty. The Argentine had enjoyed an impressive start to the season with four goals in his first four matches, but has not scored since September 1. Can he end his drought against Dortmund?

Talking point: Is Joleon Lescott on his way out of Manchester City? The England defender played a key role in City's title-winning campaign last season, but has seemingly dropped down the pecking order at Etihad Stadium. Mancini has said Lescott remains an "important player" at City, but will the former Everton man be content to warm the bench?

Bet of the Day: Carlos Tevez to score in a 3-2 City win is 30/1 with bet365

Prediction: 3-2

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