Manchester City have named their starting lineup for their opening UEFA Champions League group stage match away to FC Porto on 9 September. Star striker Erling Haaland leads the attack as they begin their latest quest for European glory.
Head coach Enzo Maresca has selected a strong side for the trip to Portugal, which kicks off at 12:30 am IST. City's lineup features Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, with a defensive quartet of Nunez, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, and Josko Gvardiol. The midfield trio consists of Bouaddi, Enzo Fernandez, and Antoine Semenyo, supporting an attacking line of Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland.
This campaign marks a fresh start for Manchester City in Europe's premier club competition. Their sole Champions League triumph came in the 2022-23 season, but they have faced frustration in each of the three subsequent campaigns. On each occasion, they were eliminated by Spanish giants Real Madrid. This sequence of defeats adds a layer of determination to their efforts this season as they seek to reclaim the trophy.
The club's summer saw a significant squad reconstruction, described as costly but quick, which has yielded immediate domestic results. They have scored seven goals and conceded just two in the Premier League, maintaining a perfect record ahead of this European test. Key players like Jérémy Doku and Nico O'Reilly are currently sidelined, but the squad depth will be tested across multiple competitions.
The historical record strongly favors Manchester City in this fixture. In four previous European meetings, Porto have never managed to defeat the English side. City have won three of those encounters, with the only non-loss for the Portuguese champions being a 0-0 draw in the Champions League group stage back in December 2020. This gives Maresca's team a psychological edge as they arrive at the Estadio do Dragao.
Porto, managed by Francesco Farioli, are the reigning Primeira Liga champions, having won the title in Farioli's rookie year at the helm. Their lineup includes experienced campaigners like veteran striker Pepe, alongside Costa in goal, Baio, Perez, Kiwior, Fernandes, Rosario, Varela, Veiga, William, and Silva. They will be aiming to rewrite history against a City side in formidable form.
Beyond the starting eleven, Maresca has considerable options on the bench. The substitutes include goalkeeper Bettinelli, defenders Khusanov, Reis, and Rayan Ait Nouri, midfielders Rico Lewis, Anderson, Mateo Kovacic, and Allan, plus forwards McAidoo and Ndiaye. This depth will be vital as the match progresses and could be decisive in a tight contest.
City's domestic form provides a solid foundation. Their next Premier League fixture is a highly anticipated away match against rivals Manchester United on 13 September. Maintaining momentum in Europe while competing on the domestic front is the immediate task for a squad that has been rebuilt for this exact purpose.
Manchester City's Champions League journey for the 2026-27 season begins in Porto with a lineup built to secure a positive result and set the tone for the campaign ahead.
