Manchester City travel to the Estádio do Dragão for the first time since the 2021 UEFA Champions League final defeat to Chelsea, as they debut away from home in the 2026/27 edition of the competition against FC Porto.
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In Premier League action last weekend, Manchester City scored just once to earn three points against newly-promoted Coventry City, as debutant Enzo Fernández played Antoine Semenyo on the right, who hit a first time cross to goalscorer Erling Haaland.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was crucial for the Blues with three of his best saves to deny the visitors an equaliser as the Italian - now among the captains at the club - alongside Rúben Dias, Erling Haaland, and Marc Guéhi - kept the first clean sheet of the 2026/27 season.
Enzo Maresca now takes charge of his first UEFA Champions League match as Manchester City manager - the first time he appears on the bench in sky blue since the 2023 final won in Istanbul against Inter thanks to Rodri’s strike.
Since then, Manchester City have been knocked out of the competition three times by Real Madrid; 2023/24 in the quarter-finals, 2024/25 in the knockout stage play-off round, and 2025/26 in the last-16.
Without the Spanish rivals in the league phase draw, Enzo Maresca will face FC Porto (A), Paris Saint-Germain (H), AEK Athens (H), RB Leipzig (A), Napoli (H), FC Barcelona (A), RC Lens (A), and Sporting (H).
Now, Manchester City travel to Portugal to take on Portuguese champions FC Porto. With every match crucial in the competition's new format, here is our Predicted XI for the first UEFA Champions League encounter of the season!
Enzo Maresca and his Manchester City squad travel to Portugal on Monday evening ahead of their opening contest of the league phase in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League against FC Porto.cityxtra.co.ukMan City Confirm 22-Man Travelling Squad to Face FC Porto in UEFA Champions League
Enzo Maresca and his Manchester City squad travel to Portugal on Monday evening ahead of their opening contest of the league phase in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League against FC Porto.
Predicted XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma was impressive last time out against Coventry City, arguably single-handily maintaining the club's clean sheet in Premier League action. The Italy international should be between the posts once again.
Matheus Nunes may finally earn his first start of the 2026/27 season as games now start to pile up and the Portugal international seemingly returns to full fitness. He can offer a much-needed versatility on the right of the club's back-four.
It seems like Marc Guéhi has been around Manchester City for many years given his status within the side and recent promotion into the captaincy group, despite having only arrived from Crystal Palace in January. He should start once again.
The new official club captain at Manchester City, Rúben Dias, may start this one and revive his old rivalry with FC Porto, having come through the Academy at Lisbon-based outfit Benfica.
Pivotal in both build-up play and going forward, Josko Gvardiol should start once again for Manchester City as he is already important for Enzo Maresca’s system.
Matheus Nunes has recalled the emotional day the Catalan confirmed his Manchester City departure and has set the record straight on the Catalan’s most famous criticism of him.cityxtra.co.uk"A Lot of People Were Crying” - Matheus Nunes Recalls Pep Guardiola’s Emotional Man City Farewell
Matheus Nunes has recalled the emotional day the Catalan confirmed his Manchester City departure and has set the record straight on the Catalan’s most famous criticism of him.
Elliot Anderson was simply sensational against Coventry City at the weekend, getting numbers not seen in the Premier League since Rodri in December 2023. He is the new owner of Manchester City’s midfield and should be in the line-up once more.
Under his old and new manager, Enzo Maresca, Enzo Fernández made his debut last weekend and looked so comfortable. He may feature in the Champions League wearing the Manchester City shirt for the first time.
Arguably the best player at the club so far in the ongoing campaign, Rayan Cherki should be in the selected starting squad in Porto this week.
Manchester City and Coventry City managers Enzo Maresca and Frank Lampard singled out Elliot Anderson for praise after Saturday's narrow contest at the Etihad Stadium.cityxtra.co.ukMaresca and Lampard Rave About Man City's Anderson After Coventry City Win
Manchester City and Coventry City managers Enzo Maresca and Frank Lampard singled out Elliot Anderson for praise after Saturday's narrow contest at the Etihad Stadium.
On the right of an expected front-three in Portugal on Tuesday night, Antoine Semenyo, who has two assists in his last two starts for Manchester City, may start once again.
The inevitable-man in front of goal Erling Haaland will have a chance at maintaining and extending his current goalscoring run and his stupendous record in the UEFA Champions League.
Iliman Ndiaye secured his first minutes in a new shade of blue against Coventry City on Saturday afternoon, looking promising on numerous occasions throughout the game. The Senegalese winger could be included in the starting XI, as a left winger, once more.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca reflected on full debuts for Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye in Saturday's 1-0 win over Coventry City.cityxtra.co.ukManchester City manager Enzo Maresca reflected on full debuts for Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye in Saturday's 1-0 win over Coventry City.
Enzo Maresca's Contrasting Verdicts on Manchester City Debuts for Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye
Starting XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernández, Cherki; Semenyo, Haaland, Ndiaye.
Substitutes: Rulli, Bettinelli, Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, Ait-Nouri, Bouaddi, Kovacic, Foden, McAidoo, Allan.