Captain Vincent Kompany claims Manchester City are hungry for success and determined to deliver in the Champions League.
City have begun the season emphatically by winning their opening five Barclays Premier League matches without conceding a goal.
Now they want to carry that momentum into the Champions League, in which they have never previously progressed beyond the last 16.
They begin their latest challenge on Tuesday with a testing visit from last season's runners-up Juventus, and Kompany said: "We don't want to go out to the strongest teams but to compete with them and at least beat them on a regular basis."
City's optimism is tempered slightly by the loss of star striker Sergio Aguero due to a knee injury.
Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez is relishing the attacking options at his disposal as he prepares to launch the club's latest assault on Champions League glory.
The Spaniards welcome Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk to the Bernabeu Stadium in their opening Group A fixture, with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in particular in the mood to terrorise opponents.
Benitez told the club's official website: "Bale brings speed and penetration, Cristiano drifts inside, and that balance with Karim Benzema, Isco, and Marcelo joining in the attack... It creates a lot of danger for our opponents."
Captain Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's game against PSV on Tuesday because of a hamstring injury, so Marouane Fellaini could continue up front.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to action for Paris St Germain when the French giants host his hometown club Malmo in Group A.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc gave the Sweden forward the night off last Friday, when the team drew 2-2 with Bordeaux in Ligue 1.
Ibrahimovic picked up a knock while on international duty last week and was rested as a precaution.
Borussia Monchengladbach are seeking to spark their season into life when they play in Europe's elite club competition after a 37-year wait at Sevilla.
Wolfsburg will be without Koen Casteels with a toe injury and Vieirinha, who is struggling with a thigh problem, for their home clash with CSKA Moscow.
Atletico Madrid's summer signing Jackson Martinez could start against Galatasaray, with the Colombian striker coming on as a second-half substitute at the weekend.
Astana will be without forward Patrick Twumasi through suspension when they face Benfica in Lisbon.
