City begin their second successive season in the continent's elite competition as the English champions having continued their remarkable recent progress by winning the Barclays Premier League last May. Mancini was speaking at the Bernabeu Stadium ahead of his side's mouth-watering Group D opener against Real Madrid.
He said: "If you drive a Ferrari you can win, if you drive a Fiat Cinquecento, probably not. In the past we have been working for this. I think we beat good teams but we have played together for two years and we needed time. I am sure we will arrive to win this trophy in the future. I do not know when, but I am sure because we are working for this."
He added: "If we want to improve every year it is possible."
City failed to progress beyond the group stages last season having been given a tough draw against Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal.
This year the assignment is even tougher with the champions of Holland and Germany, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund respectively, also lying in wait as well as nine-time European champions Real.
Mancini said: "I think it was a good experience last year - we did a good group but it was not enough. I think the group will be stronger this year but it will be difficult for all the teams.
"I think it is important now that we go to the second stage. After February anything can happen, but now it is difficult to say what we can do."
Striker Sergio Aguero, who was linked with a switch to the Bernabeu last season, appears to be winning his fitness race to play. The Argentinian has been out for a month with a knee injury suffered in the Premier League opener against Southampton.
Mancini said: "Sergio is okay he is not 100% because he didn't play any games but his feeling at this moment is good and he has trained with the team for the last five days. He has a chance."
Source: PA
Source: PA