Manchester City’s Bold Line-up for Champions League Opener

Enzo Maresca has rolled the dice for Manchester City’s Champions League opener in Portugal, unveiling a bold line-up for the clash with Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday night.

The City manager has made three changes to the side that beat Coventry last Saturday, but one decision stands out above all.

Bouaddi’s Big Night

All eyes will be on Ayoub Bouaddi.

The young Moroccan has been handed his first City start, trusted from the off on one of European football’s biggest stages. He comes in for Elliot Anderson, who drops to the bench, in a move that underlines Maresca’s willingness to back youth in a high‑stakes setting.

The selection gives City a different look on the left side, with Bouaddi’s energy and fearlessness set against a Porto team that rarely shows visitors any hospitality at the Dragao.

Foden Preferred, Nunes Returns

Phil Foden also gets the nod. Maresca has preferred him to Iliman Ndiaye, who moves to the bench, injecting extra creativity and technical sharpness between the lines behind Erling Haaland.

At right-back, Matheus Nunes returns to the starting eleven, replacing Abdukodir Khusanov. That change should give City more thrust down the flank, with Nunes expected to push high and support the attack.

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez keeps his place for a second consecutive start after his record £125 million move from Chelsea. The Argentine continues at the heart of Maresca’s structure, tasked with dictating the tempo in his new colours. New signing Alan has to wait, named among the substitutes.

The XIs at the Dragao

Maresca’s Manchester City line-up:

Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Bouaddi; Enzo, Cherki; Foden, Haaland, Semenyo.

Porto answer with:

Costa; Varela, Perez, Kivor, Alberto Costa; Rosario, Fernandez; Vega, Gomes, Silva, Pepe.

A fearless youngster, a record signing settling in, and Haaland prowling up front. For City, this isn’t just another group-stage night. It feels like the first real glimpse of what Maresca’s version of European football might become.