Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says his stars are excited to be facing Champions League opponents Real Madrid.

Mancini is convinced his own galacticos will relish the occasion.

"If you have players who have won World Cups, like David Silva, or who have won everything in the game, like Yaya Toure, you know what you are going to get on nights like this," he said.

"For them, playing against Real Madrid is the essence of football, and it should bring the best out of them.

"When you are young and starting out in football, you think about how much you would love to play against Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"Sergio Aguero is the same, and it could be important that he missed the game in the Bernabeu. He will want to make up for that and I think he can cause problems for Real. But, above all, we must play as a team.

"They have a big history, going back a long way. But I do think we have the players who can beat them. It is possible."