The Bundesliga side grabbed a 1-1 draw from the first game at the Red Bull Arena after Josko Gvardiol’s leveller following Riyad Mahrez’s first-half strike.
With an increased threat in the second 45 minutes, the former City striker will settle for taking the game back to the Etihad Stadium where he believes Pep Guardiola can guide his side into the Champions League quarter-finals.
“I’m happy with the result now that the game finished,” said Dickov, who was a guest on our Matchday Live show.
“At half time we were thinking: create more chances and finish the game 2-0 or 3-0, but not after the way they came out in the second half.
“In a two-legged tie, away from home, we don’t want to go back to the Etihad with a defeat because then we’re going to be chasing the game. Now it’s a pretty much even game.
“As good as they were for 20-25 minutes in the second half, I look at the quality in City’s squad, how we can play and our knowledge and experience in the Champions League, and I really fancy us to go through.”
Fellow guest Karen Bardsley added that Guardiola will know how to plan for the second leg on Tuesday 14 March.
But the former City goalkeeper warned that there is plenty of quality in the German side and that the return leg will be a tough test.
“Pep’s going to go away and prepare, everyone’s going to look at this performance and understand what we can do better,” she said.
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“I don’t think it was a poor performance. There were a few standouts and a few players that weren’t at their best but there’s no doubt in my mind that we can win the reverse leg.
“There were lots of questions being asked by Leipzig and we were maybe fortunate they didn’t capitalise on anything else. They are clearly a talented side.”
MATCHDAY LIVE
Matchday Live is our City-centric show aired around every match that Pep Guardiola‘s side play.
Starting an hour ahead of kick-off with team news first and fast, our special guests talk through their predictions for the game ahead and discuss wider City topics.
They also have plenty of fun, playing games and quizzes with a City theme.
Guests in recent weeks have included former City stars like Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry, Martin O’Neill, Darius Vassell as well as players for the Club’s other sides including Steph Houghton and Esme Morgan.
They return at half-time and after the final whistle to give their take on what they have seen.
Matchday Live returns on Saturday for our Premier League trip to Bournemouth.
It is available to watch on mancity.com, our official app and the Club’s official YouTube channel.
