Man City begin their UEFA Champions League campaign against Napoli at Etihad Stadium.
Mancini and Mazzarri guide their clubs back to the big time
Manchester City begin their UEFA Champions League campaign in what is another step towards their dream of one day becoming the best team in Europe.
After finishing third in the Premier League last season, Roberto Mancini's club were drawn in Group A alongside Wednesday's opponents, Napoli, as well as Bayern Munich and Villarreal.
It is a difficult group, but, having made a stylish 100 per cent start to their domestic season, City will still be confident of achieving the 10 points which are usually enough to progress from the group stages.
All eyes will be on the brilliant combination of Sergio Aguero, who will be playing against the club where his father-in-law, Diego Maradona, inspired league title wins in 1987 and 1990, and David Silva following their stunning form.
The pair combined superbly to rip apart Wigan at the weekend and, although there is a long way to go, all the signs are there to suggest Mancini's team are evolving into a major force to beware.
Comparisons to European champions Barcelona have been premature and indeed City need to guard against a reality check against a dangerous opponent on what will be a famous night under the floodlights at Etihad Stadium.
Top table
City are back in the continent's premier club competition for the first time since 1968/69, but Serie A outfit Napoli are also making a fond return to the top table after missing out for 21 years.
Walter Mazzarri secured third place in the Italian league last season in what is steady progress for the club, who played against Liverpool in the Europa League in 2010/11 and only succumbed at Anfield to a late Steven Gerrard hat-trick.
Napoli defeated Cesena at the weekend in what was their first competitive game of the season following the strike action in Italy and summer signings Gokhan Inler, Blerim Dzemaili and Mario Santana all made their debuts.
Attacking duo Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani will both need to be carefully marshalled by City following a summer in which the pair were linked with moves to some of Europe's top clubs.
Edin Dzeko is expected to return for City after being rested against Wigan in the wake of his four goals against Tottenham and he is likely to replace Carlos Tevez as the attacking partner for Aguero.
Nigel de Jong has not played since injuring his ankle in the first game of the season against Swansea, but he has been back in training.
Gareth Barry missed the win over Wigan after picking up his own ankle problem, but Micah Richards was fit enough to start after overcoming a tight hamstring.
A thigh injury sustained in early September meant summer signing Marco Donadel missed Napoli's win over Cesena on Saturday.
Miguel Britos has also been omitted from Napoli's Champions League squad after fracturing a metatarsal in pre-season, which is likely to leave him unavailable until November.
