Doku insists Man City have much left to fight for following Champions League elimination

Jeremy Doku thinks Manchester City displayed sufficient talent during their exit from the Champions League to indicate that Pep Guardiola's players can still achieve a rewarding campaign.

The team was effectively ousted by Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in a 3-0 loss in the previous week's initial leg of the last-sixteen clash at the Bernabeu Stadium.

The 15-time record European winners finished the task at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium on Tuesday via a 2-1 victory for a 5-1 overall triumph after the home side spent much of the contest reduced to ten players due to captain Bernardo Silva's dismissal for handball.

The loss highlighted a challenging period for City with a stalemate at West Ham sandwiched between the two fixtures against Real which has left them nine points behind Premier League frontrunners Arsenal.

They now need to galvanise for a League Cup final versus the Gunners at Wembley on Sunday yet City forward Doku is certain the squad's spirits are still buoyant.

"We performed strongly (against Real)" he remarked. "We held our own with eleven versus eleven and with ten versus eleven. We generated opportunities.

"In my view if we maintain that level in every match we will challenge numerous opponents. There are positive aspects from this encounter to carry forward."

The 23-year-old Belgian forward continued: "Plenty remains at stake. We are still competing in three tournaments three prizes within reach.

"Securing those would make for an excellent season."

Regarding the League Cup final Doku described it as "an ideal remedy" for City's continental setbacks. "We will give our all to secure that match and claim silverware" he affirmed.

City began promisingly on Tuesday but suffered a major setback when team leader Silva received a red card after 20 minutes for blocking a Vinicius Junior effort on the goal line.

Vinicius converted the subsequent spot-kick and while Erling Haaland levelled for City the evening's downfall was sealed as Vinicius netted his brace in added time.

Doku emphasised that Silva enjoys complete backing from his City colleagues.

"Clearly he is upset" he noted. "From what I know of him he internalises such moments deeply.

"Yet even afterwards we remained composed we stayed competitive. He is downcast but we all support him. His role in the squad is immense.

"We can take pride in our showing. Facing a formidable side like that down to ten and still competing effectively still pressuring them. Few sides manage that."