'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester City kickstart their UEFA Champions League title defence against Red Star Belgrade, and fans are delighted with Pep Guardiola's starting lineup.
City host the Serbian minnows at the Etihad on Tuesday (September 19) and are big favourites. Guardiola's treble winners have made an excellent start to the season, winning all five league games.
Manchester City won their first Champions League title last season and did so in confident fashion. The likes of Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias flourished as they got their hands on the trophy.
All three have been named in Guardiola's lineup to face Belgrade and will be eager to start their Group G campaign off with an impressive performance. Haaland has picked up where he left off last season with seven goals in as many games across competitions.
Trending
The Norweigan superstar starts in attack alongside the in-form Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden. There's a full debut for summer signing Matheus Nunes who will partner Bernardo Silva and Rodri in midfield. The Portuguese playmaker joined Manchester City from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £53 million.
Meanwhile, Kyle Walker captains the side and starts at the back alongside Dias, Nathan Ake and Sergio Gomez. The England international ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract last week. Ederson is in goal.
Fans are enthusiastic on learning of Guardiola's team to face Belgrade. One fan has backed them to win the Champions League for a second straight season:
"We're ready to go back to back."
Another reckons the Cityzens could hit seven on the night:
"Easy 7-0 win."
Here's how fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to City's starting XI to face Belgrade:
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola lavishes praise on new boy Jeremy Doku
Jeremy Doku is unfortunate to drop to the bench for his side's clash with Belgrade. The Belgian joined Manchester City from Ligue 1 side Rennes for £55.5 million and has hit the ground running.
The 21-year-old scored on his second appearance for the reigning Premier League champions in a 3-1 league win against West Ham United at the weekend. It was a superb performance from the young attacker.
Guardiola has sung Doku's praises and is surprised by the quick start he has made at Manchester City (via Bitter and Blue):
“When you buy a young player like him for many years (contract), we have to be patient. I didn’t expect the second game for City to play like he did today. The way he played today, I don’t remember from a long time ago something like that.”
Doku is one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe, and his bright start bodes well for City. He's viewed as Riyad Mahrez's replacement following the Algerian's move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli.
