Ayoub Bouaddi makes first Manchester City start against Porto

Ayoub Bouaddi will make his first start for Manchester City as Enzo Maresca’s side begin their UEFA Champions League league-stage campaign against Porto at Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday evening.

The Morocco international replaces Elliot Anderson in the only major headline from the Manchester City team announcement, with Anderson named among the substitutes. Bouaddi’s inclusion represents a significant moment for the young midfielder, who has been handed a starting place for the first time since joining the club.

Manchester City have made three changes to the XI that began Saturday’s victory over Coventry. Maresca has also selected Phil Foden ahead of Iliman Ndiaye, who drops to the bench for the meeting with the Portuguese side.

The third alteration comes at right-back, where Matheus Nunes returns to the starting line-up in place of Abdukodir Khusanov. Nunes is therefore restored to the team for a match that will open Manchester City’s European campaign.

Enzo Fernandez will feature in midfield for the second consecutive game following his record £125m move from Chelsea. New signing Allan is among the substitutes and could be introduced later in the contest.

Manchester City’s starting line-up is Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Josko Gvardiol, Ayoub Bouaddi, Enzo Fernandez, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Antoine Semenyo and Erling Haaland.

The substitutes are Bettinelli, Geronimo Rulli, Elliot Anderson, Iliman Ndiaye, Mateo Kovacic, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Reis, Allan, Abdukodir Khusanov, McAidoo and Lewis.

Manchester City are aiming to begin the league phase with a positive result in Porto, while the home side have selected Diogo Costa, Alan Varela, Nehuen Perez, Jakub Kiwior, Alberto Costa, Rosario, Fernandez, Vega, Gomes, Silva and Pepe.

The fixture is being played at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao as part of the opening round of matches in the UEFA Champions League league phase. Rather than the previous group-stage format, the competition’s league phase brings all participating teams together in one table, although the source line-up announcement focuses on the teams selected for this match.

Manchester City’s selection gives particular attention to Bouaddi’s first start, alongside the return of Nunes and the continued involvement of Enzo Fernandez after his high-profile transfer. Foden’s inclusion also marks a change in the attacking options from the team that faced Coventry, while Ndiaye will begin the match from the bench.

The Manchester City team was announced alongside the message: “Our first#UCLline-up of the season! 🩵💫XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias (C), Guehi, Gvardiol, Bouaddi, Fernandez, Foden, Cherki, Semenyo, HaalandSUBS | Bettinelli, Rulli, Anderson, Ndiaye, Kovacic, Ait-Nouri, Reis, Allan, Khusanov, McAidoo, Lewispic.twitter.com/ig7QkYnS8p”