Old friends, new tests: City's Champions League road

There was a distinctly nostalgic air about the Champions League draw in Monaco, at least from a Manchester City perspective. The Etihad will play host to Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Sporting CP and AEK Athens, while Enzo Maresca's side will travel to Barcelona, Porto, RB Leipzig and Lens.

For sporting director Hugo Viana, the fixtures read less like a group-stage itinerary and more like a roll call of familiar faces. Kevin De Bruyne, who swapped the Etihad for Napoli in the summer of 2025, made a prompt return to Manchester last September and will do so again. This marks the second consecutive season City have welcomed his new club.

Then there is Rodri. The midfielder departed earlier this month after seven years of service, joining Barcelona. His goal in 2023 delivered City's maiden Champions League crown, so a trip to Catalonia carries obvious emotional weight.

“Of course, it’s always a challenge to play against the European champions, but we are happy to see Kevin and Rodri again,” Viana said.

He was in a warm mood, clearly pleased with the prospect of reunions. “We are really happy that we face Barcelona with Rodri there,” he added. “Barcelona is always tough, especially away.”

Napoli, too, brought a smile. “We played Napoli last year and we had the pleasure to have Kevin on the field, and it will be amazing to see him again. When you have friends on the pitch it’s always good.”

Viana's own past also features. Sporting, his former club, come to Manchester, while he returns to Portugal to face Porto. Lens, he noted, are doing really well, as are AEK Athens, and Leipzig represent a genuinely tough test.

“We are ready to compete,” Viana said. “So we never know against these kind of opponents. It’s always difficult, different games, different coaches, different systems. But what I can guarantee is that we are ready to compete.”

City avoided perennial rivals Real Madrid, yet the draw still offers a stern examination of Maresca's reshaped squad. The full schedule, with dates and kick-off times, lands no later than Saturday 29 August. Before then, though, the dressing room's focus is on sitting top of the Premier League table.