Manchester City continue their Champions League campaign at the Etihad on Tuesday night, as they take on Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen for the very first time.
City’s productive start to the league phase continued with an emphatic 4–1 victory over Borussia Dortmund before the November break, and their subsequent triumph against Premier League champions Liverpool convinced many that Pep Guardiola’s side were rediscovering an irresistible groove.
However, the Cityzens were overpowered by Newcastle United at the weekend, losing 2–1. Arsenal’s convincing success in the North London Derby less than 24 hours later means the Gunners are now six points clear at the summit, with City down in third.
Guardiola’s side are back on home soil in midweek, though, and their fourth win of the league phase will leave them in an excellent position regarding a top eight finish with three games to go.
Leverkusen undoubtedly made the right choice by replacing Erik ten Hag with Kasper Hjulmand in the dugout, with the 2023–24 Bundesliga champions up to third in the German top flight after beating Wolfsburg 3–1 at the weekend.
However, their first win in this competition didn’t arrive until Gameweek 4, when they secured a smash-and-grab victory over Benfica, leaving them on five points.
Here is guide to Tuesday’s Champions League bout.
