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Why is no one talking about Manchester City as Champions League contenders?
The Champions League is back for matchday three of this season's competition, and already we've seen some of the pre-season favourites flex their European muscles as possible winners this year.
Both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have won both their opening games, while PSG could still be the team to beat as they look to defend their Champions League crown.
Yet, there hasn't been as much noise around Manchester City. Last season's dip seems to have pushed the 2023 winners down the pecking order when talking about favourites to lift the trophy next spring.
However, ahead of their trip to Villarreal, DAZN News' Ash Rose argues why they should be among the top contenders.
They have Erling Haaland
And it could be quite as simple as that.
Haaland's form at the start of 2025-26 has been sensational, and possibly because it's the Norwegian that we're all taking it as the norm. However, the striker has scored 19 goals already for club and country this season, and is back in the kind of groove that means he feels like a cheat code for Manchester City.
Three of those have come in two Champions League outings, where he also broke the record for the quickest time to net fifty times in the competition, but can his goals alone fire City all the way in 2026?
Normally, you'd say no, as it takes more than one elite individual to win Europe's biggest prize. However, Haaland's goalscoring is so machine-like and so deadly, you can't rule out that notion from actually playing out.
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Phil Foden is back
Like Manchester City, 2024-25 was a season to forget for Phil Foden.
Having entered in the reigning Player of the Year, the season never really got going for the attacking midfielder, having spent the summer with England at Euro 2024. He netted his lowest total of goals in five years as City went trophyless for the first time since Guardiola's first campaign.
However, this season we are starting to see the Phil Foden of 'old'. His link-up with Haaland in attack seems to have been rekindled, and in City's nine games so far, he's scored twice and provided two assists.
If that trajectory keeps going, it's only good news for the Citizens...and maybe England, too.
A Champions League winner in goal
The old adage is that every great team needs a great goalie, and in Ederson, City lived up to that cliche for the majority of the Brazilian's stint between the posts.
However, following his drop-off last campaign, the club upgraded in the summer and what an upgrade. Not only is Donnarumma one of the world's elite keepers, he also comes from having won this competition last year with PSG.
The Italian looked imperious on his debut in the Manchester derby, and is a goalkeeper who oozes class, while having the presence of a player who's spent a career as a big-game name.
If Haaland is a guaranteed goalscorer at the other end, having one of Europe's best shot-stoppers is a guarantee that City will go deep into this season's competition.
Pep's hungry for more
No one would have been more dissatisfied over last season's failure to land a trophy than Pep Guardiola.
It's almost ridiculous to call him a born winner, because he's so much more than that, but winning has been key to everything else he's given the game since becoming a manager and a trophyless season is not something the Spaniard is used to.
Which is why this season, he and his team could be more dangerous than ever. They are already quietly going about their business in the Premier League, whilst everyone is talking about Arsenal and Liverpool's title charge, and it seems to be the same case in the Champions League, too.
Yes, they may have dropped needless points against Monaco last time out, but it was in a game that they should have won, and they've already swept aside the Italian champions.
Guardiola has tweaked his tactics, with a more direct approach and freshened up the coaching staff. It is those changes, plus a desire to get back to winning ways, that could turn the tide and get City lifting trophies once again.
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, offering differing selections of sports in each. 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)
