Manuel Pellegrini admitted Manchester City are in the last-chance saloon as they look to resurrect their Champions League hopes against Bayern Munich.
The Premier League champions have only taken two points from their four European games and are bottom of Group E.
And there is a scenario whereby defeat to Pep Guardiola's team would not mathematically end their chances of qualification for the last 16, manager Pellegrini accepts there is no margin for error as City's campaign could be effectively over before December's trip to Roma.
"We have our last chance," he said in a news conference.
Bayern, who have taken 12 points out of 12, have already ensured they will win the group and are without seven injured players but Pellegrini does not believe either factor will make City's task easier when they set out to beat the German champions at the Etihad Stadium.
He added: "They have injuries but we have also important players out: Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko, David Silva, Aleksandar Kolarov. But I think big teams have a squad and have other names also that play very well.
"I don't think that because Bayern have already qualified they will play in a worse way than they are doing so far."
Pellegrini steered City into the knockout stages of the competition for the first time last season but claimed he does not feel under added pressure to repeat that feat.
He explained: "I don't think there is an extra pressure. I think it is important for this club to continue in Europe because it is one of our targets to improve every year. We will see the team fighting until the end to continue in the Champions League and I hope we can do it."
The Chilean said that, while outsiders may expect his side to be eliminated, the City camp are convinced they will progress.
He said: "This team and me personally we have a lot of trust we can do it and I am sure we can continue having chances to the last game."