Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho believes Manchester City will win the Champions League "sooner or later".
Speaking before Tuesday's meeting in Madrid, City boss Roberto Mancini agreed that they will win the trophy at some point in the future.
Mourinho said: "With the direction the club is going, sooner or later they will win the big cup."
Mancini added: "I am sure we will arrive to win this trophy in the future."
Former Chelsea manager Mourinho compared the investment made at City to that at Stamford Bridge under owner Roman Abramovich.
Mourinho delivered two Premier League titles at Chelsea but was unable to add the Champions League - which he has won with Porto and Inter Milan - to the club's trophy cabinet.
Chelsea eventually won the trophy last season under Roberto Di Matteo and Mourinho is confident that City too will conquer Europe.
He said: "I don't think it is very different to Chelsea.
"Since Roman bought the club, (Claudio) Ranieri was the first coach, then I came and we won the first league, some cups and some more titles.
"Carlo (Ancelotti) then came and they continued to win and finally they won the Champions League.
"With City it started off with Mark Hughes, they started spending money and buying good players.
"Then Roberto (Mancini) came and he has done a very good job. He has created a great squad, the first cup then the first title arrived.
"I don't know if it is this season or next season - with Roberto Mancini or with another person. It will happen sooner or later."
Mancini has set no targets for this year's campaign but admitted that City should be concentrating on winning in Europe in the future.
He said: "If you drive a Ferrari you can win, if you drive a Fiat Cinquecento, probably not.
"In the past we have been working for this. I think we beat good teams but we have played together for two years and we needed time.
"I am sure we will arrive to win this trophy in the future. I do not know when, but I am sure because we are working for this.
"If we want to improve every year it is possible."
Mourinho questioned his side's spirit after they fell eight points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona at the weekend but he says he will not make wholesale changes for the visit of Mancini's men.
He said: "The line-up will not be very different, it will be the best that I consider to play, full of players of the highest level.
"Football is about today and tomorrow, not yesterday. Yesterday is history.
"I haven't been able to keep my players motivated and concentrated at the top level and that is my fault.
"To play against City motivates me as much as playing against Getafe. To win the Champions League motivates me like any other match."
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