Manchester City now know who they will take on in the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage, with the Blues set to come up against Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund and FC Copenhagen.
The draw, made in Istanbul on Thursday evening, saw City placed in Group G by former City midfielder Yaya Toure, who was assisting proceedings for UEFA.
First out from Pot 2 for City were Sevilla, before Borussia Dortmund joined from Pot 3 and then finally, FC Copenhagen from Pot 4.
This season marks City’s 12th consecutive appearance in the Champions League group stage – the longest current run for any English side.
Having suffered semi-final heartache to Real Madrid last time around, City enter the 2022/23 campaign still searching for their maiden Champions League title.
The final defeat to Chelsea two seasons ago remains the closest City have come to lifting the trophy, with Pep Guardiola’s side once again amongst the favourites to compete this time around.
After three seasons of disruption, the final is due take to place in Istanbul, at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium on June 10th.
It had originally first been scheduled for the 2019/20 season, but Covid-19 disruptions meant the final stages of the tournament were played in Lisbon.
Pushed back one year, the final was once again moved from Istanbul in 2021, as neither City or Chelsea supporters were permitted to travel to the then red-listed Turkey.
There is hope that this season will mark third time lucky for Istanbul, but who will City have to face in the group stage to have a chance of making the final in June?
Sevilla
Nation: Spain
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Stadium: Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium
Fun fact: No team has won more Europa League titles than Sevilla
The first team drawn against the Blues were Spanish Sevilla, who City last faced at the same stage during the 2015/16 Champions League.
Triumphing in both fixtures that season, Manuel Pellegrini’s side took three points from the clash in Seville, before completing the double at the Etihad Stadium on Matchday 6.
Both matches from the 2015/16 represent the only times both sides have met in a competitive fixture, meaning City will enter the group stage with a 100% record against the Rojiblancos.
Borussia Dortmund
Nation: Germany
Manager: Edin Terzić
Stadium: Westfalenstadion
Fun fact: Borussia Dortmund won the Champions League in 1996/97
Just months after leaving the Signal Iduna Park to join City, summer signing Erling Haaland is set for a return against his old side.
Much like Sevilla, City have met Dortmund in the group stage before, having drawn one and lost the other against the German outfit in 2012/13.
City would be forced to wait 11 years for their revenge, as the Blues prevailed across two legs at the quarter-final stage on their route to the final in 2020/21.
FC Copenhagen
Nation: Denmark
Manager: Jess Thorup
Stadium: Parken Stadium
Fun fact: FC Copenhagen are the only Danish side to reach the Champions League knockouts
Having qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2016/17, Danish side Copenhagen were always going to be an attractive draw for any side.
A maiden Champions League meeting awaits City and Copenhagen, but the pair do have history, having played out a 4-3 aggregate thriller in the 2008/09 UEFA Cup knockouts.
Craig Bellamy bagged a brace for the Blues in the home leg of that tie, with City going on to reach the quarter-finals, before losing out to Hamburg.
Dates for your diary
Unlike previous seasons, the Champions League format has changed for the upcoming season, with back-to-back matchdays to accommodate November’s FIFA World Cup.
As a result, all six group matches will be played between September and November, before the season is paused.
Matchday 1:
6 September vs Sevilla (A)
Matchday 2:
14 September vs Borussia Dortmund (H)
Matchday 3:
5 October vs FC Copenhagen (H)
Matchday 4:
11 October vs FC Copenhagen (A)
Matchday 5:
25 October vs Borussia Dortmund (A)
Matchday 6:
2 November vs Sevilla (H)
Due to the way in which the fixtures have fallen, it's meant there have been an impact on a number of City's Premier League matches.
City's trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal was scheduled for Thursday 20th October but has now been moved a day forwards to Wednesday 19th October.
Similarly, City were meant to face Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 23rd October, yet it will be played on Saturday 22nd October instead.
Written by: @AmosMurphy_
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