Bouaddi Makes Debut as Maresca Revamps City’s Lineup for Porto Clash

Enzo Maresca has wasted no time putting his stamp on Manchester City’s Champions League campaign, unveiling a bold starting XI for their opener against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday night.

Three changes from the side that beat Coventry at the weekend, and one of them steals the eye immediately.

Bouaddi’s Big Night

Ayoub Bouaddi, the highly rated Moroccan youngster, is handed his first City start. No easing in, no gentle introduction – a debut from the off on one of European football’s most unforgiving stages.

He comes in for Elliot Anderson, who drops to the bench. It’s a clear show of faith from Maresca, and a statement about the kind of fearlessness he wants from this City side.

On the right flank of the defence, Matheus Nunes returns to the line-up, reclaiming the right-back spot from Abdukodir Khusanov. Maresca leans on Nunes’ energy and experience in a position that will be tested heavily by Porto’s wide threats.

Higher up the pitch, Phil Foden gets the nod over Iliman Ndiaye. Foden’s inclusion adds craft and incision between the lines, with Ndiaye joining Anderson among the substitutes.

Enzo Anchors the Middle

In midfield, Enzo Fernandez continues at the heart of things. The record £125 million signing from Chelsea starts his second straight game, trusted again to dictate the tempo and link defence to attack.

New recruit Alan must wait for his Champions League bow from the bench, as Maresca resists the temptation to overload his side with fresh faces on a high-stakes European night.

How City Line Up

City’s XI at the Dragao:

Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Bouaddi; Enzo; Cherki, Foden; Haaland, Semenyo.

A blend of established stars and emerging talent, with Erling Haaland leading the line and tasked, as ever, with turning service into goals. Around him, Rayan Cherki and Foden will look to unlock Porto between the lines, while Antoine Semenyo offers direct running and physical presence.

Porto’s Response

Porto answer with a side built to compete physically and tactically:

Costa; Varela, Perez, Kivor, Alberto Costa; Rosario, Fernandez, Vega; Gomes, Silva, Pepe.

A familiar mix of steel in midfield and sharp movement up front, backed by the noise and intensity of the Dragao. They know exactly what it means to unsettle a heavyweight on home soil.

Maresca, though, has made his play. Youth, bold selections, and a marquee midfielder at the core. On a night when the Champions League’s new league phase begins for City, Bouaddi’s name on the teamsheet says everything about where this project is heading.