Mancini wary of toughest group for new boys City

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is excited by his Champions League challenge but expects the group stage to prove tough.

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

With German giants 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, 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 and their performances this term suggest they can make a big impact.

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 said: “I think this is normal for us. Now Manchester City are one of the best teams in England and Europe. For us it will be very important to do our job very well in this group. Tomorrow is the first game – the first game is always a difficult game.

“Napoli are a good team. Last year they did very well in the Italian championship. Several of their players have been capped for their national teams and [Walter] Mazzarri is a very experienced manager. I expect Napoli to be a challenge but a lot of our players have played in the Champions League.”

Aside from the excitement surrounding City’s entrance to the competition, tonight’s match should also be poignant for Mancini. The 46-year-old won three Serie A titles in charge of Inter Milan, but could not land the Champions League. He now has the chance to impress again in front of an Italian audience – and his father is also attending the game.

Mancini added: “It is a special moment, also because Naples for me was really important when I played. To start a Champions League game against an Italian team is a special moment.”

Despite training yesterday midfielders Gareth Barry and James Milner are both doubtful and will be assessed this morning. Mario Balotelli is suspended after being sent off against Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League last season, while Nigel de Jong is still out with a foot injury.