Sub-zero temperatures mean there will be a hard playing surface in the Valeriy Lobanovskiy stadium, and the home side boast a decent home record having not lost there in Europe since 2009.
There is also a familiar face in Andriy Shevchenko likely to line up against City, and the Blues boss is well aware of his potential.
“I know all about Shevchenko from his time in Italy, I thought he was fantastic when he was there and he is obviously one of the best players in the Dynamo team. But they are a good side, they don’t just have Shevchencko, they have Milevskiy, Gusev and others.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, and also we know that the pitch is not very good. It’s a very hard pitch because of the cold weather.”
Mancini faced the press on Wednesday evening alongside Edin Dzeko, and he predicted that the Bosnian will build upon the progress he has made in the two months since arrived from Wolfsburg.
“I think Edin is one of the best strikers in Europe, but it has not been easy for him to start in a new team in January. He has to get to know new team mates and a new league, but I’m happy with him because I think he will be one of the best strikers in England in the months and years ahead.
“We have three strikers in Edin, Carlos and Mario but there are times when I think they can’t play together. But when they do, it’s important that all three strikers work in the defensive phase as well, otherwise it becomes very difficult for us. It’s only the first half tomorrow, I hope we can get a goal and we will try to win.”
On the injury front, Mancini confirmed that James Milner had not travelled with the squad.
“James Milner is not fit, but Shaun is with us although he is not 100%. Nigel is here, only James did not travel because of this hamstring problem.”
