Man City has announced their travelling squad for their first UEFA Champions League match of the season. The Blues face Portuguese Champions Porto at Estádio do Dragāo, heading into the game in great form, winning each of their first three EPL matches.
City are up against a side who themselves are in superb form. Porto have won their opening five Liga Portugal matches, scoring 11 and conceding just one. A big test for the Blues, but one we should ultimately prove victorious in.
Nico O'Reilly and Jeremy Doku miss out due to injury, but otherwise City have taken a strong squad to Portugal for this one. New signings Enzo Fernandez, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Iliman Ndiaye have travelled, along with Elliot Anderson. Allan Elias is also in the travelling party.
Man City's travelling party for their UCL match against FC Porto:
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi, Iliman Ndiaye, Mateo Kovacic, Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Enzo Fernandez, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Vitor Reis, Joško Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Allan Elias, Antoine Semenyo, Abdukodir Khusanov, Phil Foden, Ryan McAidoo, Rico Lewis, Geronimo Rulli, Marcus Bettinelli.
I'm expecting a similar line up to that which faced Coventry City in the EPL last time out, with potentially one change. Matheus Nunes could come in for Abdukodir Khusanov at right back, but other than that I think it will be the same XI that beat the Sky Blues 1-0. So, that means Iliman Ndiaye will make his second start for the club in his first ever Champions League game. Enzo Fernandez will also likely keep his place, although many are pushing for Ayyoub Bouaddi to start from the off.
For me, it's best to start with experience. This is going to be a tough game so Fernandez for me just gets the nod. It's also why Ryan McAidoo will likely start on the bench, though the City starlet is expected to get some minutes in Portugal.
Erling Haaland has scored three in his last two and will be looking to get his UCL 2026/27 campaign up and running straight away. Rayan Cherki is another who has started off this season well. It will be interesting to see if Cherki starts this one. The wizard should start every game as far as I'm concerned, but Enzo Maresca may decide to be a little more cautious. Phil Foden may come in instead, or Bouaddi might join Anderson in midfield and push Enzo Fernandez further forward. For me, though, Cherki should start.
A really tough game this, Blues. It's one, though, City should nick. It's our first real big test of the season so I'm excited to see how Enzo Maresca approaches it.
Man City predicted lineup vs FC Porto:
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Joško Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, Iliman Ndiaye, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland
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