Roberto Mancini admitted he saw glimpses on last season in Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Villa, but the City boss knows his side will have to do even more if they are to avoid a Champions League exit.

In fact, the manager went as far as to tell the Daily Mail that that nothing short of perfect will do on Wednesday.

“There were precious few flaws, as the 5-0 score line might indicate, but Roberto Mancini was adamant there will be scope for even fewer when Real Madrid come to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night,” writes the paper’s John Edwards.

“Defending champions Manchester City stormed back to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a ruthless five-goal demolition of Aston Villa and Mancini could scarcely have asked for more.

“He can and will, though, when the focus switches to the Champions League. The game with Real that can only go one way, if the faintest of qualification hopes are to  keep flickering.

“Hosting the Spanish giants is the biggest challenge, in terms of glamour and intrigue, of Mancini’s City reign.

“He knows what is needed for his side to meet it - perfection.”

If there is one man who knows exactly what it is going to take to topple the Spanish giants, it is skipper Vincent Kompany.

“Kompany has urged Manchester City to prove they belong at Europe's top table,” reports Martin Blackburn of The Sun.

“The club's Champions League form has fallen way short of the high standards they have set in domestic football over the last two years.

“Yet they still have a chance despite taking just two points from four matches so far and captain Kompany has demanded an improvement.”

Elsewhere, claims that high-flying Paris Saint-Germain are considering a move for Mario Balotelli emanate from the same source.

The Sun’s Phil Thomas writes: “PSG are ready to slug it out with both Milan clubs if Manchester City show Mario Balotelli the door in January.”

“The free-spending French outfit are hunting a striker in the upcoming window and have been checking out Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.

“But the Columbian hitman is likely to opt for Chelsea or City, which has seen them switch their sights to Balotelli.”

Remember we at mcfc.co.uk will be first to let you know if there is any truth in this transfer talk!