Manchester City entered this year’s Champions League as the defending champions, after completing a treble last season and winning their first ever Champions League title. On Tuesday, September 19, Manchester City will host Red Star Belgrade to start their Champions League defence.
Following their historic 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final match in Istanbul in July, Pep Guardiola’s team enters the contest as the defending champions. As a result, they received an ‘advantageous‘ group on paper. Man City were put in Pot 1 for the draw on Thursday.
City was assigned to Group G, which also included RB Leipzig of the Bundesliga, Red Star Belgrade of Serbia, and BSC Young Boys of Switzerland. Last season, the latter two teams won their respective leagues, with Leipzig placing third in Germany.
Man City’s Champions League fixtures
The Sky Blues commence the first gameweek of their title defence by inviting Red Star to the Etihad. The following two away matches for Guardiola are against Leipzig on Wednesday, October 4, and Young Boys on Wednesday, October 25.
Then, on Tuesday, November 7, City will host the Swiss champions at the Etihad in the second match. On Tuesday, November 28, City will host Leipzig. Belgrade will host the final group stage match on Wednesday, December 13.
Leipzig has become a regular opponent for Guardiola’s team in Europe. Man City have played the German team in each of the last two competitions. Most recently, they faced off in the round of 16 of the previous Champions League campaign. Leipzig drew 1-1 in Germany before receiving a crushing 7-0 beating at the Etihad.
Red Star and Young Boys have never played City. Hence, it will give the visiting supporters the chance to visit the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade and the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern for the first time.
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