Mancini's team face Sunderland tomorrow after a bright start to the season that has seen them keep clean sheets in four successive games.

Then in October the former Inter Milan manager comes up against old Serie A rivals Juventus in the group stages of the Europa League.

City secured their passage with a comfortable 3-0 aggregate victory over the Romanians of Timisoara on Thursday. That achievement came on the back of a convincing win over Liverpool.

However Mancini feels they be will tested to the full, especially in Turin.

He said: "Juventus are traditionally one of the very top sides in Europe and are maybe the biggest name in this year's Europa League.

"It is a big test for us, and one which we are all looking forward to. I know Juve well from my time in Italy.

"They have some excellent players and also have a massive support, so both games against them will be great occasions."

City were also drawn against Austrian side Salzburg and Polish champions Lech Poznan.

Mancini hopes his expensively assembled team can go all the way in the competition.

He said: "The Europa League is important for us and I think we have a good squad which is able to go a long way.

"But we must respect all of our opponents, they will all be difficult games, and we must be at our very best to go through this group."

Mancini was pleased with the performance in midweek, not least of all an encouraging display by David Silva, who arrived from Valencia in the summer.

He said: "I think that Silva needs time because it is not easy to play in the Premier League.

"Probably La Liga is different, maybe like Serie A but Silva is a fantastic player."

England midfielder James Milner will return to the squad at Sunderland as he sat out the victory against Timisoara as he was not registered in time.

Mario Balotelli could be back in contention following a knee problem that has caused him to miss the last two games after he scored the winner on his debut in the play-off first leg.

Aleksander Kolarov, Jerome Boateng and Wayne Bridge remain sidelined through injury.