A new Champions League campaign launches into life with a meeting of two former winners as Porto host Manchester City in an intriguing opening-round clash.
For the first time in more than a decade, the visitors embark on a European adventure without Pep Guardiola at the helm, with Enzo Maresca stepping up for his first continental fixture in charge. A strong start to the Premier League season has come after another productive summer in the transfer market, and Manchester City are at just about full strength tonight.
Maresca will have another Italian for company on the touchline in Francesco Farioli, the highly-rated young manager who has restored Porto to champions of Portugal. Another storming start in the Primeira Liga will leave confidence high that the club can mix it with the European heavyweights as they return to the top tier for the first time in three years – and this early test will be a good gauge of their Champions League aspirations.
Follow all of the latest from the clash with our live blog below:
Disruption at the back
Polish pair Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior have formed a strong partnership for Porto of late, but the former is suspended tonight, necessitating Nehuen Perez’s inclusion at the back. He may have his hands full with Erling Haaland – Kiwior will know the striker from his time at Arsenal, of course, though that doesn’t make it any easier to stop him.
It’s a pretty nasty night in Porto, incidentally, the rain tumbling down. A Manchester welcome for the travelling fans.
Porto’s strength at home
It’s a little while since we’ve seen them on this stage but Porto boast a strong record at home in Uefa competitions. The hosts have lost just one of their last 14 matches in European football at the Estadio do Dragao.
Francesco Farioli with chance to build reputation
It surely won’t be long until Francesco Farioli’s profile grows again, the Italian having done such sterling work since arriving at Porto. His has been an odd journey through the managerial ranks, beginning in Turkey and then through mixed stints at Nice and Ajax, but Roberto De Zerbi’s former assistant has thrived in the last 12 months.
“I’m happy to be in the Champions League for the first time at 37 years old,” he said. This will be my first game, but we approach every game with the same attention to detail and the same focus. It’s easy for the players to be motivated tomorrow. But the key will be our strategy and our ability to execute it, individually and collectively.”
Enzo Maresca wary of Porto’s set-piece threat
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca is wary of the home side’s set-piece strength, particularly, tonight.
“Very, very good team,” Maresca said of Porto yesterday. “The team is very clear the way they play. They have a clear style so congratulations to them. I know that Porto are good at set pieces. It has become part of the game. Defend in the right way and score set pieces. You need to be perfect in your game.”
Team news – Manchester City
Manchester City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Fernandez, Bouaddi; Foden, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland.
Team news – Porto
Porto XI: Costa; Costa, Perez, Kiwior, Fernandes; Varela, Rosario, Veiga; Gomez, Silva, Pepe.
Man City ignored Enzo Fernandez’s red flags – and now they have three issues
Getting the midfield mix right will be key for Enzo Maresca if Manchester City are to go deep in this competition. It seems like Ayyoub Bouaddi is set for a start in Porto but what role might Enzo Fernandez have – both tonight and in the long-term. Richard Jolly profiles a potentially flawed signing.
Why Manchester City spent big money to revolutionise their squad
Manchester City’s squad has a new look, too – Richard Jolly explains why they felt they had to invest.
A new era for Manchester City
For Manchester City, this is another step into the unknown under Enzo Maresca as the new manager takes charge of his first Champions League game with the club. Maresca did a solid enough with Chelsea last year as he managed the dual demands of domestic and European football – and has both a Conference League and Club World Cup to fall back on as proof of his tournament credentials.
