Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has said that the club's 4-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday night was one of the club's best in Europe.

City scored three times in the final 12 minutes to beat the German side at the Etihad Stadium and progress to the last 16 as group winners ahead of Italian champions Juventus.

Pellegrini talked up the importance of his side's victory and highlighted the advantages of finishing first in their group rather than runners-up.

"It is one of the best [European nights]," Pellegrini told reporters. "Last year we played very well in the last two [group] games against Bayern Munich here and Roma. We played very well against Sevilla [away for] the whole game.

"It is better to finish first because you can avoid important teams for just one stage more. But if you hope to win the title, you have to play against the big teams. Of course it is better not to play Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid."

City will find out who they will face in the last 16 when the draw takes place on Monday, December 14.