City’s Europa League opponents Aris missed an opportunity to move up to fifth in the Greek Superleague after being beaten by current champions Panathinaikos.

Though the Greek side put up a strong fight, Panathinaikos, boasting familiar names such as former Liverpool Striker Djibril Cisse and ex-Arsenal skipper Gilberto Silva, eventually ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Greek wonder-kid Sotiris Ninis.

Despite the set-back, Aris remain only four points off the top three and still in contention for a Champions League spot.

Should the Blues progress to the next round of the Europa League, Besiktas or Dynamo Kyiv await in the last 16. Both sides are currently away on their winter breaks, though Besiktas return to action against Bucaspor on January 21.

Newly-appointed Dynamo Kyiv manager Yuriy Semen will have longer to prepare his side however, as their next league fixture is not until March 4, a week after the second leg of their Europa League tie against Besiktas.