Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said being forced to watch the Champions League latter stages from his sofa instead of the touchline is providing motivation to qualify for the competition next season.
City bowed out at the play-off round to Real Madrid in February -- failing to reach the last 16 for the first time since the 2012-2013 season.
It was also the first time in Guardiola's managerial career that he failed to reach the last 16, but he has enjoyed the spectacle this week as Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Inter Milan booked their places in the last four.
"They've been good games," said Guardiola on Friday. "It's a motivation. It's not a bad thing to fight to qualify for the Champions League.
"Hopefully next season we can be there with the big clubs in Europe and challenge them better than what we have this season."
City find themselves embroiled in a battle to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League that would secure Champions League football for a 15th consecutive season.
Guardiola's men are fifth with six games to go, but only one point ahead of Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Yet Guardiola conceded it could have been much worse for his side after a drastic decline in their standards this season compared with the team that won an unprecedented four consecutive Premier League titles.
"We could be in a very lower position in the Premier League," he added.
"People say we are fifth now but could be 11, 12, 13 or 14. I have no doubts. OK, we've not been good, but it's in our hands."
Erling Haaland, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Ederson remain sidelined for City's trip to Everton on Saturday.
But they could welcome back Manu Akanji for the first time in two months, while Phil Foden has recovered from a knock that led him to miss last weekend's 5-2 win over Crystal Palace.
No need for big changes at Liverpool: Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes maintaining the squad that is romping towards the Premier League title is more important than major new signings.
The Reds' plans for next season have been boosted by Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk signing new deals to remain at Anfield over the past week.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is still reportedly set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his deal expires at the end of the season.
Van Dijk said ahead of agreeing his new contract that he expects a "big summer" in the transfer market from the Reds.
Slot's only signing in his first year in charge was Federico Chiesa, who has played a peripheral role.
But with Liverpool 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League, the Dutchman is content with the squad he has at his disposal.
"Let's see what the rest of the summer will bring but it would be strange for me to say now I am not happy with the team because I've said this for a year, we are happy with the team we are having," Slot said on Friday.
"Maybe if we can keep that team it will already be a big summer.
"I think the core of the team you want to keep as long as you can together, as long as they are performing in the best possible way, but it is also in general good to have some new energy in and around the place with one or two players.
"But it isn't really a necessity when you look at the quality we have and the quality of the season we have had."
Liverpool could seal the title as soon as Sunday if they win at Leicester and Arsenal lose away to Ipswich.
Alexander-Arnold is back in contention to feature after returning to training following an ankle injury.
Slot hailed the right-back's "incredible" quality and refused to give up hope of retaining the England international.
"The moment he is on the pitch, he shows me what a great player he is and he has showed how hard he is trying to achieve our goals this season," added Slot.
"The fans and everyone who watched football for the last five, six, seven years knows he is an incredible full-back and has been an incredible full-back for this football club.
"Let's see what the future brings."
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