James Milner believes that Manchester City's performance in the Champions League will define their season.

The midfielder was part of the squad that were knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage last season, and the 26-year-old is determined to improve on that this season.

Milner told Manchester Evening News: "We want to improve in Europe as we were disappointed with our performance in the Champions League last year, so it is a massive thing for us.

"I don't think it will put any more pressure on us. People expect us to win games with the team that we have, but I don't there is more pressure on us from outside. That mostly comes from ourselves and each other."

Milner signed for Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2010.