Maresca's Bold Line-Up for Champions League Opener Against Porto
Enzo Maresca has wasted no time putting his stamp on Manchester City’s first European night of the season, unveiling a bold line-up for their UEFA Champions League opener against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday.
Three changes from the side that beat Coventry at the weekend, and one headline decision.
Bouaddi’s big night
All eyes fall on Ayoub Bouaddi. The young Moroccan is handed his first City start, thrown straight into a high‑stakes Champions League tie in place of Elliot Anderson, who drops to the bench. It is a daring call, the kind that can define a manager’s early months in charge.
Maresca clearly trusts the teenager’s temperament as much as his talent. A domestic debut is one thing. A first start under the lights in Porto is something else entirely.
Foden preferred, Nunes restored
Phil Foden also gets the nod from the start, preferred to Iliman Ndiaye, who makes way after starting against Coventry. Foden’s inclusion hints at Maresca wanting greater control between the lines and a sharper creative edge around Erling Haaland.
On the right of the back line, Matheus Nunes returns to the starting eleven at right-back, replacing Abdukodir Khusanov. It is a switch that should give City more thrust down that flank, with Nunes expected to step into midfield when City have the ball.
Enzo anchors again
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez continues at the heart of Maresca’s plan. The record £125 million signing from Chelsea starts his second consecutive match, again tasked with dictating tempo and linking defence to attack. New arrival Alan has to be patient, named among the substitutes.
Around Enzo, the technical profile is clear: Rayan Cherki’s ingenuity, Foden’s movement, and the power and penalty-box presence of Haaland, supported by the work of Antoine Semenyo.
The XIs in full
Manchester City line-up: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Bouaddi; Enzo; Cherki, Foden; Haaland, Semenyo.
Porto line-up: Costa; Varela, Perez, Kivor, Alberto Costa; Rosario, Fernandez; Vega, Gomes, Silva, Pepe.
Porto, backed by a fierce Dragao crowd, bring a balanced side with experience, bite in midfield, and enough pace in attack to trouble any defence. City answer with youth, star power and a manager unafraid to make big calls.
For Bouaddi, it is a night he will never forget. For Maresca, it is the first serious European test of his new City era.
