Pep Guardiola has appeared to once again downplay the Champions League, on the eve of taking his side to Paris for a semi-final showdown against last season's finalists PSG.
It is the first time City have reached the last four of the competition, with Guardiola having failed to progress the team past the quarter-final stage during his five years in charge.
The Spaniard cut a relaxed figure during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, insisting he was simply urging his players to enjoy the trip to the French capital and 'be ourselves.'
Yet, perhaps more alarmingly for City fans, Guardiola cast a nonchalant tone regarding the pressures of the Champions League and admitted he sees the Premier League as most important.
Guardiola said: 'We make this position [semi-final] now and we are lucky to live right now where we are, now I am very happy to travel with this club to Paris with the tactic to be ourselves and win the games.
'And then to Crystal Palace to win one of the two games we need to win the Premier League, the most important one.
'I say the champions league is nice, but the premier league is the important one.'
In a move that may raise many an eyebrow, Guardiola also pointed out how he does not see City among the elite in the Champions League, given the club's lack of experience in the latter stages.
City have been an ever-present in Europe's leading cup competition since the Sheikh Mansour era began, but are yet to have had the chance to scoop the main prize.
Guardiola added: 'Of course we are not elite in this comp, that's for sure, but we want to be there.
'When our owners took over years ago we makes steps and steps to improve, first in England. Many, many players, managers and backroom staff have come and gone.'
Guardiola went on to confirm that his squad had reported a clean bill of health prior to Wednesday crunch showdown, and that City must revel in their 'incredible' chance.
'Everyone is fit and ready, and happy I think,' he added.
'All of us is grateful to give ourselves this opportunity to be there. For Barca and Madrid it is a normality to play in this stage of the competition for us it is something new. It is incredible to have this chance.'