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Man City face former stars in key Champions League showdown
Manchester City’s Champions League campaign has taken a dramatic turn as they prepare to welcome Galatasaray to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, a fixture charged with emotion, tactical intrigue and a genuine threat to City’s progression in Europe’s elite competition.
At stake is not just advancement from the group stage, but restoring pride after one of the most embarrassing nights of Pep Guardiola’s tenure – a 3-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt that sent shockwaves through Manchester and beyond.
The forthcoming clash promises to be deeply personal for City’s supporters, with two former blue icons returning to Manchester.
Ilkay Gundogan, whose leadership and grit were instrumental in City’s 2023 Champions League triumph, now pulls the strings for Galatasaray from midfield, while Leroy Sane brings pace and flair to the Turkish champions’ attack.
Both players left Etihad favourites and embody the modern era of Guardiola’s side; now, Guardiola must devise a plan to counter their quality as enemies on their former home turf.
City’s European hopes currently hang by a thread. The loss in Norway to Bodo/Glimt was as staggering as it was humiliating: Kasper Hogh’s brace and a stunning strike from Jens Petter Hauge condemned City to a shock 3-1 reversal, further compounded by Rodri’s second-half red card and a largely impotent attacking display.
That result leaves City precariously placed in their Champions League group. Qualification for the knockout stages – let alone securing a comfortable position – depends on beating Galatasaray and possibly on other results going their way.
Guardiola, whose team are competing in their 15th successive Champions League campaign, has publicly acknowledged the need for tactical fixes and a return to the principles that made them European champions just a few seasons ago.
Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Galatasaray arrive with nothing to lose. The Istanbul giants have shown resilience in Europe this season, drawing with Atletico Madrid and capable of upsetting the established order when least expected. Gundogan’s experience and Sane’s attacking threat give them ammunition to trouble City’s defence, which has looked brittle at times this season.
Sane in particular poses a danger to City’s backline. The speedy German winger has six goals and five assists to his name in all competitions this term. And despite having turned 30, he appears to have lost none of the pace and incisiveness that once thrilled fans inside the Etihad.
For Guardiola, the narrative is clear: outwit his former charges, steady a wobbling squad and remind the football world why Manchester City have been perennial contenders in Europe.
The Etihad faithful on Wednesday won’t just be hoping for three points – they will also be pulling for their team to pass a litmus test of their contender credentials and capacity to respond when the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday 8
Wednesday, 28 January
- Ajax v Olympiakos
- Arsenal v Kairat Almaty
- Athletic Bilbao v Sporting CP
- Atlético Madrid v FK Bodø/Glimt
- Barcelona v FC Copenhagen
- Bayer Leverkusen v Villarreal
- Benfica v Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund v Inter Milan
- Club Brugge v Olympique Marseille
- Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham Hotspur
- Liverpool v FK Qarabağ
- Manchester City v Galatasaray
- Monaco v Juventus
- Napoli v Chelsea
- PSV Eindhoven v Bayern Munich
- Pafos v Slavia Prague
- Paris St Germain v Newcastle United
- Union Saint-Gilloise v Atalanta
How to watch the Champions League in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
