Ayoub Bouaddi handed full debut as Maresca twists his Manchester City pack for Porto test
Manchester City step into a new UEFA Champions League campaign at the Estadio do Dragao with Enzo Maresca already showing his willingness to shake the tree.
Three changes from the side that beat Coventry on Saturday. Three clear signals about where this City project is heading.
The headline belongs to Ayoub Bouaddi. The young Moroccan is thrust into the starting XI for his first City start, preferred to Elliot Anderson, who drops to the bench. On a night when experience usually rules, Maresca has pushed a rising talent straight into the heat of European competition.
Phil Foden also gets the nod. The England international starts ahead of Iliman Ndiaye, who has to settle for a place among the substitutes. It is a selection that leans on Foden’s proven Champions League pedigree, his ability to dictate tempo and find space where others see only traffic.
The third change comes on the right side of defence. Matheus Nunes returns to the starting line-up in place of Abdukodir Khusanov, offering City more thrust from full-back and another technically assured outlet in possession.
At the heart of it all, Enzo Fernandez continues as the central pillar of Maresca’s midfield. The record £125 million signing from Chelsea starts his second consecutive match, entrusted again with knitting City’s structure together. New arrival Alan must wait his turn among the substitutes, a reminder that reputations alone do not guarantee immediate minutes in this side.
Erling Haaland leads the line, flanked by creativity and movement, with Rayan Cherki and Foden supplying the angles and the passes. Behind them, Bouaddi’s inclusion adds intrigue on the left, while the defensive core of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol in front of Donnarumma offers familiar steel.
Manchester City XI
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Bouaddi; Enzo; Cherki, Foden; Haaland, Semenyo.
On the other side, Porto answer with a side built for intensity at home. Costa starts in goal, shielded by Varela, Perez, Kivor and Alberto Costa across the back line. Rosario and Fernandez anchor midfield, with Vega and Gomes offering support to the front pair of Silva and Pepe.
Porto XI
Costa; Varela, Perez, Kivor, Alberto Costa; Rosario, Fernandez; Vega, Gomes; Silva, Pepe.
A fresh Champions League format, a first league-phase outing, and a City manager already putting his stamp on selection. Bouaddi’s debut, Enzo’s growing influence, Foden’s responsibility – all of it now has to stand up to the roar of the Dragao.
