14 September 2023 , 13:45
795
0
Manchester City ended their wait for Champions League glory in June and now it's time for the Blues to try and do it all over again.
Rodri's memorable winning goal against Inter Milan secured a remarkable treble for Pep Guardiola's side following their earlier successes in the Premier League and FA Cup, and underlined their status as the best team in the world.
Since the Champions League's inception in 1992, only Real Madrid have defended the title, completing a three-peat between 2016 and 2018, but Pep Guardiola's team are the clear favourites to win this year's edition of the tournament.
City have started the domestic season in excellent form, winning all four of their Premier League matches, and shortly after the top-flight season resumes, they will get their European campaign under way.
The Blues were handed a favourable draw in Group G after landing in Pot One by virtue of winning the Premier League as well as the Champions League, with RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys confirmed as their opponents.
It is the third season in a row that City will have faced Leipzig, having played them in the 2021-22 group phase, as well as last season's last 16, when the Blues progressed 8-1 on aggregate.
Red Star and Young Boys are entirely new opponents for City but Guardiola's men will be confident of progressing as group winners regardless.
Ahead of City's campaign getting underway, a 40-page special previewing their European title defence is now on sale.
Costing just £3, you can order it here , or in participating retail outlets from 13th September.