Manchester City v Napoli: Mancini welcomes challenge

City make first appearance in Europe’s elite club competition tonight when they host Napoli, who finished third in Serie A last season.

With German side Bayern Munich and Spaniards Villarreal also alongside them in Group A, Mancini believes his side have their work cut out despite their outstanding form this season.

The Italian said: “I think it is an exciting day for the club.

“To play in the Champions League after many years is very important, it is a special day.

“But I think we took the harder route in the Champions League.

“In this group there are four teams who can win the group or finish in fourth position. It will be very hard for every team.”

Few teams can have entered the Champions League for the first time with so much expected of them. After three years of heavy investment, City are on a mission to establish themselves as one of the continent’s top clubs.

Mancini is comfortable with such expectation and, with plenty of Champions League experience in his squad, does not believe players will be burdened by pressure either.

He won three Serie A titles in charge of Inter Milan but could not land the Champions League.

Despite training yesterday, former Leeds United winger James Milner and Gareth Barry (ankle) are both doubtful and will be assessed this morning.

Milner was concussed in Saturday’s win over Wigan.