With Manchester City finally breaking into the Premier League top four, it will be interesting to see how they fair in the Champions League. Their predecessors Tottenham took Europe by storm but do Roberto Mancini’s men have the team spirit and desire to take on the best teams in the world?

City have been, in the past, criticised for the amount of money they spend on new players and lamented for their lack of team spirit, due to the players egos. Big-money signings are always going to bring different personalities and languages to the dressing room and that may be a burden when City try for European honours.

However, they did show spirit towards the back end of last season, which ensured European qualification, and now they have the belief they can succeed after their FA Cup triumph.

Mancini, being a foreign manager, will know how to set his team up in Europe and certainly play a defensive formation, looking to counter-attack on the break. City have the players at the club to provide a winning mentality and bring glory nights back to Eastlands.

Pundits over at bigfreebet will tell you that experience is key but only the Toure brothers have played in the Champions League, with most members of Mancini’s squad set for their first taste of European action. That could be a real stumbling block for City.

One player Mancini won't have at his disposal in the Champions League is captain Carlos Tevez, who is set to leave the club to move back to South America. Tevez’s goals have been vital and it’s his work-rate that will be sorely missed in Europe. Edin Dzeko will have a huge role to play away from home as his strong build will be needed to bully defenders and hold up the ball in an attempt to set up a City attack.

Vincent Kompany will be a huge player in defence as his organisation, commitment and positive attitude will inspire others as they look to keep out the very best strikers in the business.

What City have is a strong midfield, which is needed to dominate opposition and take a stranglehold of a game, whether its home or away. City have aggressive players such as Nigel De Jong, Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry who will fight for the cause and try to unsettle foreign players, strutting their stuff on a cold, winters night in Manchester.

They will protect the back four and allow City’s wingers and attacking prospects the freedom to go forward which is always a winning tactic in the Champions League.

Everyone discussing this issue over at big free bet will agree that Adam Johnson, David Silva and James Milner are all going to be key players if City are to progress and emulate Tottenham’s success.

City have to be ruthless, enthusiastic and passionate, no matter how many foreign players they have on their books, if they are to silence a few critics and show they are capable of beating the best in Europe.