Manchester City vs Red Star Belgrade (UEFA Champions League Group Stage): Match Preview, Team News, Head to Head, How To Watch

Manchester City begin their quest to retain the Champions League with an opening match against Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday night.

Over three months after their crowning night in Istanbul, Manchester City commence their new campaign, as they look to retain the illustrious trophy which evaded them for so long.

Outside of the Champions League it’s been an emphatic start to the season for the Blues, who endured their fifth consecutive victory at the weekend with a 3-1 away win over West Ham at the London Stadium.

It was the home side who opened the scoring through James Ward-Prowse, giving West Ham a priceless lead at the interval. However, Jeremy Doku would equalise for Pep Guardiola’s side straight after the break.

Bernardo Silva eventually found a way through a resilient West Ham defence, giving the treble-winners a second half lead, which would eventually be doubled by Erling Haaland, to secure the three points.

Sitting at the top of the table after five games, Manchester City will be looking to compete on all fronts once again this season, with Tuesday’s opener the beginning of a vastly competitive European campaign.

The mentality is clear for the season ahead, as the Sky Blues look to somehow emulate the impossible, performing at unprecedented levels and achieving off the scale levels of success for yet another season.

It all begins with a home tie against the Serbian champions, who will try to spoil the party, as they look to cause a major upset against the reigning Champions League winners.

The holders will be without a couple of key names, but despite the absentees, Manchester City are clear favourites for Tuesday’s encounter, as the Blues look to kick-start their Champions League defence with victory over Red Star Belgrade at the Etihad Stadium.

Fixture Details

Manchester City take on Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday 19^th September, with kick-off at the Etihad Stadium scheduled for 20:00 BST.

Team News

Kevin De Bruyne is ruled out with a long-term hamstring injury sustained in the season opener against Burnley at Turf Moor

Pep Guardiola confirmed in Monday’s pre-match press conference that despite getting better, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic aren’t quite ready for Tuesday.

John Stones has also been ruled out of Tuesday’s clash with injury, having not played since the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in August.

Head-to-head

Tuesday’s affair will be the first meeting between the two sides, as Manchester City welcome the champions of Serbia to the Etihad Stadium for the very first time.

How to watch

For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be available live on TNT Sports 2, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 GMT.

For fans living elsewhere, you can find the complete TV Listings here!

City Xtra will have live coverage of the contest on YouTube via our live WatchAlong show!