Portuguese champions FC Porto hosted Manchester City at the Estádio do Dragão in the Champions League, a test for Francesco Farioli's side who lead the Primeira Liga with a perfect record.
Porto enter this European challenge in fine domestic form. The team sits top of the Primeira Liga standings, with 15 points from five games, all wins. Their defence has been a fortress, conceding just one goal, while the attack has scored 11, giving the club a two-point lead over Sporting CP. Their next league fixture is away to Casa Pia on Saturday.
City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the absence of two key players for the trip to the Dragão. Nico O'Reilly and Jeremy Doku were left out of the travelling squad to Portugal due to injury. Doku got hurt in the Community Shield three weeks ago, and his availability for the upcoming Manchester derby remains uncertain. Maresca stated O'Reilly could be ready for that derby.
With these absences, Maresca considered rotating his lineup. Right-back Matheus Nunes, who told media he is fully fit, is expected to start. On the left, Rayan Ait-Nouri could get minutes ahead of the derby. In attack, Phil Foden may start as the number ten, with Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Iliman Ndiaye forming the front three.
One of the most intriguing possibilities in City's potential lineup is a first start for young midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. The player could get his first chance to begin a match in European competition, a show of faith from Maresca in the midfield. This decision reflects the need to manage the squad in a busy schedule, which can be viewed on our fixtures page.
Francesco Farioli, who last season guided Porto to their first league title in four years, has built a solid and patient team. Their 2025/26 success was built on strong defensive foundations and intense pressing all over the pitch. When in possession, the team looks to dominate and has quality in the final third.
Enzo Maresca acknowledged the challenge ahead of the game. "It's a hard place to come; a difficult place to come," said the Italian coach. Maresca added: "They have started really well. In the last 14/15 games in Europe they lost just one, that shows a difficult place to come but we will try our best and try to win the game." Porto's European consistency, coupled with their league form, makes this a significant test for City, who can review the Porto squad to know their opponents.
FC Porto, defending the domestic title with an unbeaten record, now faces a decisive run of games, starting with the trip to face Casa Pia on September 12th.
