Manchester City appeared in high spirits after mission accomplished in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Birthday boy Raheem Sterling was on hand to fire in a brace along with an assist to secure a thrilling 4-2 comeback victory over Borussia Monchengladbach and send City top of their group.
However, a 2-0 defeat by Stoke last weekend saw City fall to third in the Premier League title race as managerless Swansea visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
Following Tuesday’s triumph, Manuel Pellegrini’s side will fancy their chances of reaching a maiden Champions League quarter-final.
They will avoid the powerhouses of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Atletico in the draw for the last 16 which will be made on Monday.
‘We’re definitely a force to be reckoned with - I don’t doubt us against any team,’ insisted Sterling.
‘I’ll take any team with the players we’ve got here fully fit and firing,’ added the England star, who is adamant City can compete for Europe’s top prize. ‘If we can get through the next round anything is possible.’
The 21-year-old urged for defensive stability to build the platform for their attacking prowess.
‘With the football we’re playing we definitely need to be more solid and keep more teams at bay,’ Sterling added.
‘But with the players we’ve got here you know something could pop up at any moment. There is great personality throughout the squad.
‘Even when the game looks like it’s dead we can spin it on its head because of the players we’ve got.’
The elated youngster was delighted to fire City top of their Champions League group on Tuesday.
‘It was definitely one of my best nights in football,’ added Sterling.
‘I sometimes criticise myself a bit too much because I know where I want to be. It’s because I know what I’m capable of.
'To put it on the world stage is the most important thing now, showing people that I can play regularly and consistently, scoring goals and helping my team win matches.’