City look to build on impressive form

Monaco v Manchester City Preview 

Pep Guardiola’s side will look to make it two wins from at the start of their Champions League campaign.

Author | Macca

Stadium | Stade Louis II

Monaco v Barcelona | 2024

Monaco host Manchester City seeking redemption after their chastening 4-1 defeat to Club Brugge in the opening round of the Champions League.

The Ligue 1 side have been inconsistent in recent weeks, losing three of their last six matches in all competitions, and now face what is likely to be their sternest examination of the season to date.

Team News for City

Manchester City supporters face an anxious wait to discover whether Rodri will be fit in time for Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Monaco at the Stade Louis II.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has struggled to reach full sharpness following his recovery from a serious ACL injury and sat out the weekend’s 5-1 Premier League victory over Burnley after taking a knock to the knee.

Rodri is one of several injury concerns for City, with Rayan Cherki (thigh), Abdukodir Khusanov (ankle), Rayan Aït-Nouri (unspecified) and Omar Marmoush (knee) all ruled out of the midweek fixture.

Last time out in the competition 

Manchester City ensured Kevin De Bruyne’s Mancunian homecoming was one to forget, taking full advantage of an early red card for Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo that forced the Belgian’s withdrawal and left the Italian champions facing an uphill task.

Napoli, reduced to ten men, managed to reach half time without conceding, but their resistance was broken soon after the interval. Erling Haaland struck with his usual efficiency before Jérémy Doku added a second, sealing a 2-0 win at the Etihad for Pep Guardiola’s side, who rarely falter in the opening rounds of the Champions League.

History between the two sides

The last time Manchester City faced Monaco in the Champions League. youtu.be/7n6B1JjsJOs?...

[image or embed]

— Super News Affiliate (@eurosuperfootball.bsky.social) 29 September 2025 at 19:49

This is a match that's still spoken about in the local area. Trailing 5-3 from first leg, a sensation performance saw Monaco triumph on away goals following a 3-1 win on the night.