A bullish Pep Guardiola is confident his Manchester City team will hit last season's title-winning heights as they embark on their biggest week of the current campaign against Hoffenheim and Liverpool.
City travel to Germany for Tuesday night's Champions League tie needing to make amends for their defeat against Lyon in the opening round of European fixtures.
Next weekend they face Liverpool at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp's side having beaten them three times last season.
'These two games before the international break will be so important for us...', Guardiola said.
'With our spirit, the way we play, I believe so much in our guys. I know everybody and how they fight even though it's a long time since we won at Anfield.'
Guardiola is hopeful he can nurse star striker Sergio Aguero through the games before he gets a rest during October's international break.
Liverpool beat City twice in the Champions League and in the league at Anfield: 'If they beat us three times, it is because they are a good team.
'United and Liverpool are the most historic teams in England. After Hoffenheim we are going to prepare for them.'
