Manchester City learned how competitive and demanding this season's Champions League will be after their 2-2 draw with Lyon on Tuesday, according to Aymeric Laporte.
The Premier League champions twice came from behind to earn a point in France and book their place in the knockout rounds of the competition.
Before the game, Laporte called for his side to get revenge on Lyon for the defeat Bruno Genesio's team inflicted on them in Manchester earlier in the campaign, but instead they learned how tough their battle for the European crown will be.
"What we learn from this is there are a lot of strong teams and if you want to fight for this European trophy you need to fight very hard," he told reporters.
"All the teams are very competitive and demanding in this competition. That is our main challenge, to try to beat them all."
Laporte scored just after the hour mark to cancel out Lyon's opener, but Maxwel Cornet struck again to put City under pressure in the battle for top spot in Group F.
When Sergio Aguero sealed the draw after 83 minutes, Laporte was relieved.
"That's what we had to do, we had to come back twice," said Laporte. "That's why we are happy for the draw and the qualification, because that's what really matters for us.
"The main goal from the beginning was qualifying for the round of 16."
The 24-year-old has impressed at City since joining from Athletic Club in January and feels he has developed a good partnership with fellow centre-back John Stones.
"We have a great relationship," said Laporte. "We are always together joking all the time and on the pitch it is working well for both of us.
"We need to take advantage of that.
"We are very happy for the qualification and are looking forward to the next games."