Bouaddi makes instant impact as Manchester City beat Porto in Champions League

Ayyoub Bouaddi made an outstanding first start for Manchester City in the Champions League as they won 2-0 away to FC Porto on Tuesday, earning praise from Erling Haaland and manager Enzo Maresca.

The 18-year-old midfielder was selected alongside Enzo Fernandez for his European debut and looked entirely at home despite the demanding atmosphere at the Estadio do Dragao. Bouaddi played for 75 minutes and showed the composure of a player with considerably more experience at the highest level.

His performance offered an early answer to questions about how he would establish himself within Manchester City’s richly stocked midfield. After making an encouraging start to life in the Premier League, the Morocco international strengthened the impression that he has the ability to compete immediately for a regular role.

Bouaddi completed 54 of his 55 passes, recording an impressive 98% success rate. He did not misplace a single pass in Porto’s half, while also making seven recoveries and one interception. He won two of his three defensive duels.

Those figures only partly captured the quality of his display. His calmness in a hostile stadium stood out, particularly given his age and the scale of the occasion. Haaland, who scored both goals to secure victory for the Citizens, was among those impressed.

“At training, he is incredible. I just told the president. I think we have a gem,” Haaland said.

The Norway striker did have one light-hearted criticism for his young team-mate, joking that Bouaddi should have passed to him when he was unmarked during the second half.

Maresca was equally positive about the midfielder’s contribution.

“He is very good. Any player would have panicked, but he stayed calm. He is only 18, but he was excellent,” the City manager told reporters.

Speaking to Prime Video, Maresca added: “His performance was incredible.”

Praise for Bouaddi extended beyond the Manchester City dressing room. Former England striker Wayne Rooney, appearing on the English broadcaster’s coverage, highlighted the discipline and “maturity needed to play in the role usually occupied by Rodri”.

Rooney also praised the midfielder’s changes of body shape and his technical confidence when in possession. Former Netherlands international Clarence Seedorf compared Bouaddi’s apparent lack of speed to that of Sergio Busquets, drawing attention to his “ball retention, positioning and intelligence in reading the game”.

One Champions League appearance cannot, of course, justify the reported 95m euros Manchester City paid for Bouaddi. That fee made him the most expensive Moroccan player in history and the second-most expensive African player. However, his display in Porto made the size of the investment appear less daunting.

The teenager will need to maintain that level over a longer period and cope with the intense competition for places in City’s midfield. But he has already accomplished the most difficult part of arriving at a club for such a substantial fee: taking his first major opportunity immediately.

Maresca now has strong reasons to continue trusting him as Manchester City’s season progresses.