Stories concerning City are splashed all over the Sunday papers this morning, with all eyes seemingly turning to Tuesday’s meeting with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Jose Mourinho’s men are already eight points behind Barcelona in the La Liga table after four games, losing their latest match 1-0 to Seville.

Madrid’s outspoken manager is no stranger to a war of words but there’s no suggestion that Roberto Mancini is letting any of The Special One’s barbs get to him – not even the cheeky digs about a lack of history.

“It’s clear that we don’t have the history like Real Madrid but I think that Manchester City have won some trophies and we want to win more in the next ten years,” said Mancini.

“We can’t win like Real Madrid because we would need a hundred years but we want to try to win something and continue to win if it’s ­possible.

“In the next ten years City will be a top team like Real. But they have a big history now and there’s a difference.”

Elsewhere, the BBC has homed in on Mancini’s bemusement at Peter Crouch’s goal for Stoke yesterday in the 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.

“If you want to start with the first goal you should talk about NBA basketball, not football,” Mancini fumed.

“The incredible thing was the referee was behind Crouch. Sometimes it can happen that the handball is not voluntary, but not today.”

James Milner has been speaking about City’s Champions League draw and he admitted that the so-called “Group of Death” or “Group of Champions” (depending on your outlook) is not giving the Blues any sleepless nights.

“Going in as champions is a huge boost,” the midfielder revealed.

“The pot we were in we knew we would get a much stronger side at least. To get the group of champions is obviously a bit unlucky.

“But you play in the Champions League to play against these top teams. And we know we can beat anyone on our day.”

Sergio Aguero wasn’t risked against Stoke yesterday but he may make the squad for the Champions League opener in Madrid. The Argentine striker has revealed that he could never join Real as it would be seen as a betrayal of his former club Atletico Madrid.

I had great memories there and I could not betray them by joining Real,” said Sergio.

 

“I was never on the winning side against them — so let’s hope we can beat them.”

 

Sergio Aguero

Finally, City have been linked with a £24m move for Portuguese striking prodigy Nelson Oliveira who impressed for his country in this summer’s Euro 2012.

“At 6ft 1in, Oliveira has been likened in Portugal to a taller version of City striker Sergio Aguero, for his mobility and link-up play as well as clinical finishing,” writes the Daily Mail.

You can follow all build up to the Real Madrid match on mcfc.co.uk or keep up to date with the Champions League clash on the move with Twitter updates from the official account.