Porto vs Manchester City: Champions League Opener and Team Updates
Porto vs Manchester City: Champions League Kickoff
Manchester City start their 2026-27 Champions League journey at Porto on Tuesday, marking the first match of the new league phase. This game is notable as Enzo Maresca leads City in a Champions League match for the first time since taking over from Pep Guardiola.
Both teams enter with flawless domestic records, setting the stage for their fifth competitive encounter. Historically, neither side has ever lost to the other. Porto returns to the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2023-24, having secured the Primeira Liga title last season. Confidence runs high after seven consecutive wins across all competitions.
Meanwhile, City arrive after a narrow 1-0 victory against Coventry City at the weekend. Their record £125 million signing, Enzo Fernandez, was pushed into the starting lineup earlier than planned due to an injury to Nico O'Reilly. Although Maresca’s team has won all three Premier League matches so far, their away performances in Europe have been less steady than at home.
Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, 8 September 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Venue: Estádio do Dragão, Porto
- Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
- Last Meeting: Porto 0-0 Manchester City, 1 December 2020 (Champions League Group Stage)
Team News
Jan Bednarek is suspended for this match after being sent off in last season's Europa League quarter-final against Nottingham Forest. Nehuen Perez is expected to partner Jakub Kiwior in central defense. Victor Froholdt remains out following a concussion sustained last weekend, alongside Vasco Sousa, Oskar Pietuszewski, Gabriel Mec, Zaidu Sanusi, and Samu Aghehowa. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa continues to guard a defense that has conceded only once in six games this season.
Nico O'Reilly is doubtful due to a back injury suffered during the warm-up before the Coventry game. Jeremy Doku is sidelined with a calf injury. Iliman Ndiaye left his debut match early with cramp but is expected to be available. With a Manchester derby coming up, Maresca might rotate his squad, potentially bringing back Phil Foden and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Current Form
Under coach Francesco Farioli, Porto have won all seven matches this season across competitions, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one. They have claimed five straight wins in the Primeira Liga against teams like Alverca, Rio Ave, Arouca, Viseu, and Moreirense. Despite this streak, facing a team of City’s calibre presents a much tougher challenge. Porto has never beaten Manchester City competitively, with three losses and one draw in four meetings.
Enzo Maresca’s side started perfectly with wins over Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Coventry City. Erling Haaland scored against Coventry, marking his 300th career goal and surpassing Sergio Aguero as City's top scorer. Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the team's first clean sheet of the season. City's recent European away form has been patchy, winning only twice in their last nine away Champions League matches.
Predicted Lineups
- Porto (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; A. Costa, Nehuen Perez, Jakub Kiwior, Moura; Fofana, Rosario, Veiga; Gomes, Silva, Pepe
- Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Anderson, Bouaddi; Semenyo, Cherki, Foden; Haaland
How to Watch
The match will be shown live in the UK on Amazon Prime Video. Radio commentary is available on BBC Radio 5 Live.
