UEFA Champions League preview: Manchester City vs Porto

Sergio Aguero-Manchester City-Premier League

Manchester City will host Porto in their first game of Champions League 

Stadium: Etihad Stadium

Key statistics

  • Manchester City and Porto have previously met during 2011/12 Europa League group stage, with the former one coming out as winners in both the legs
  • Porto haven’t won an away game against English opponents in UCL.

Manchester City

Man City will try to turn their fortunes this season after getting knocked out by Lyon in the Champions League quarter-finals last term.

City’s start to the Premier League hasn’t also been exemplary as they drew against Leeds United and suffered a 5-2 defeat against Leicester City.

Pep Guardiola has recently stated that he takes the blame for the Champions League woes but he will take the opportunity as a fresh one this time.

Guardiola will sorely miss Kevin de Bruyne owing to an injury but he will be hoping for Ruben Dias to make an impact in his Champions League debut.

Manchester CityPossible line-up

Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; Fernandinho, Gundogan, Bernardo; Mahrez, Torres, Sterling.

Injured players

Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Jesus, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy

Doubtful

Olexsandr Zinchenko

They are one of the biggest teams in Portugal. They have the mentality of winning every single weekend. Their physicality is strong, with Pepe and Mariga up front, with the long balls and running in behind. It will be a tough game, we know it.
Pep Guardiola, Man City manager

FC Porto

The defending champions of Primeira Liga are off to a stumbling start, currently trailing Benfica in the second position.

Jesus Corona will be a player to watch out for as he has already racked up two goals and assists apiece in the league so far.

FC PortoPossible line-up:

Agustin Marchesin; Zaidu Sanusi, Pepe, Chancel Mbemba, Wilson Manafa; Sergio Oliveira, Mateus Uribe, Felipe Anderson; Otavio, Moussa Marega, Jesus Corona

Injured players

Ivan Marcano, Mouhamed Mbaye