Negredo
Negredo wants to avoid Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Champions League last 16.

Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo wants to avoid Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Champions League last 16.

City secured a place in the knockout stages for the first time in their history but they failed to top the group. Manuel Pellegrini's side beat Bayern 3-2 in the last game but as the Germans had previously beaten City 3-1 at the Etihad, they won the group based on head-to-head record.

Now City will have to face one of the group winners in the knockout stage - meaning they will face Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, PSG or Barcelona.

Negredo revealed that he would like to avoid the Spanish giants in the draw, which takes place on 16 December.

"In the last 16 we have to win whoever we face but we would like to avoid a tie against Barcelona and Real Madrid," Negredo told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.

The former Sevilla striker believes that the two Spanish sides are the best teams in Europe right now, as well as Bayern Munich and Arsenal. Luckily for Pellegrini's squad, they automatically avoid a tie with the Germans, as they were together in the group stage, and with Arsenal because they cannot face another English team yet.

"Madrid are very strong and Bayern Munich is a team with a lot of quality. Probably them and Barcelona and Arsenal are currently the strongest sides in Europe," Negredo said.

Negredo regrets failing to top the group but at the same time is delighted to have beaten last season's Champions League winner Bayern Munich.

"We are happy because we have lost just one game in the group stage and we have beaten one of the best teams on their home ground".