Ayoub Bouaddi Shines in Manchester City's Champions League Opener

Enzo Maresca has rolled the dice for Manchester City’s Champions League opener in Porto – and handed the spotlight to a teenager.

Under the lights of the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday night, City begin the league phase of the UEFA Champions League with three changes from the side that beat Coventry last Saturday. This is no gentle easing into Europe. Maresca has tweaked his shape and his personnel for a statement first step.

Bouaddi’s big night

The headline call belongs to Ayoub Bouaddi. The young Moroccan earns his first start for City, coming in for Elliot Anderson, who drops to the bench. A raw talent, thrown straight into a high‑stakes European tie. Maresca clearly trusts his temperament as much as his technique.

Phil Foden also returns to the XI, preferred to Iliman Ndiaye, who joins Anderson among the substitutes. It’s an attacking nod from the manager, leaning on Foden’s ability to find pockets of space and dictate tempo between the lines.

The final change comes at right-back. Matheus Nunes steps back into the starting line-up in place of Abdukodir Khusanov, adding more thrust and control down City’s right flank.

Enzo Fernandez keeps his place

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez continues at the heart of things. The record £125 million signing from Chelsea starts his second consecutive match, anchoring City’s play and tasked with steering them through Porto’s press. New arrival Alan must wait for his Champions League bow, named among the substitutes.

With Erling Haaland leading the line and creative support stacked behind him, City’s shape looks aggressive, front-foot, and built to dominate the ball.

Maresca’s Manchester City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Bouaddi; Enzo; Cherki, Foden, Haaland, Semenyo.

Porto answer with a strong side of their own, backed by a restless home crowd and the familiar roar of the Dragao.

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

A new Champions League format. A new era for City under Maresca. And for Ayoub Bouaddi, a first start on one of European football’s fiercest stages.