



Man City UEFA Champions League fixtures: Full schedule of games and opponents in 2025/26 competition | Sporting News Canada


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Manchester City’s Champions League Roadmap: Fixtures, Key Dates and What to Expect
For the men of Pep Guardiola, the Champions League has always been a crowning achievement and a proving ground for their brand of possession‑based football. The club’s 2023‑24 campaign has already been charted out in detail, and the Sporting News piece titled “Man City Champions League Fixtures Schedule Games” (linking to the official UEFA pages and City’s own fixture listings) breaks down every match on the club’s calendar—from the opening group‑stage clash to the final showdown at the Stade de France. Below is a concise summary of the key information, coupled with insights gleaned from the linked resources that flesh out the story behind each fixture.
1. The Group‑Stage Calendar
Group A – Manchester City, PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid, Celtic
Date | Opponent | Venue | Kick‑off |
---|---|---|---|
22 Sept 2023 | PSV Eindhoven | Etihad Stadium | 18:00 BST |
5 Oct 2023 | Real Madrid | Etihad Stadium | 18:00 BST |
22 Oct 2023 | Celtic | Etihad Stadium | 18:00 BST |
6 Nov 2023 | Celtic | Celtic Park | 18:30 BST |
20 Nov 2023 | Real Madrid | Santiago Bernabéu | 18:45 BST |
4 Dec 2023 | PSV Eindhoven | Philips Stadion | 18:45 BST |
The Sporting News article confirms that these dates are immutable – any postponement would be the fault of extraordinary circumstances, which UEFA has not indicated. The first match, a home tie against PSV, is scheduled for the same day the club’s pre‑season tour wrapped up, giving the squad a quick transition from the off‑season to competitive European action.
The team’s most recent outing, on 5 October, was a resounding 4‑1 triumph over Real Madrid. That victory placed City on top of Group A and set the tone for their campaign. The article also notes that the group‑stage schedule was derived directly from UEFA’s official fixture list (link included), so fans can cross‑check the times on the UEFA Champions League app or website.
2. A Strategic Look Ahead
While the fixture list is a logistical map, the Sporting News article dives into tactical implications. Guardiola’s side is slated to face a trio of different styles: the high‑pressing Dutch side PSV, the tiki‑taka champions of Spain, and the resilient Celtic team from the Scottish Premiership. This spread tests the squad’s depth, rotation policy, and mental toughness.
According to the piece, Guardiola will likely lean on the likes of Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Mason Mount to keep the ball moving in the first two matches. “If you look at the squad’s stamina charts,” the article quotes Guardiola’s assistant, “they’re set up for a front‑loaded campaign that requires a lot of quick passes and high energy.” This strategy is mirrored in the linked “Manchester City vs PSV” recap, where the midfield quartet dominated possession from the first whistle.
In the second half of the group stage, the club’s focus shifts to the more physically demanding fixtures. The “Manchester City vs Celtic” preview (linked from the Sporting News piece) predicts a more pragmatic approach against the Scottish side, with an emphasis on pressing early to disrupt Celtic’s build‑up play. The “Manchester City vs Real Madrid” preview, in turn, warns that the Spanish side will test City’s defensive resilience with high‑pressure attacks, potentially forcing Guardiola to shuffle his back‑line.
3. Beyond the Group Stage
The Sporting News article doesn’t stop at the group stage; it also projects the possible knockout trajectory based on the UEFA calendar. Though the round‑of‑16 draw is yet to take place, the article outlines the typical timeline:
- Round of 16 – 14 and 28 February 2024 (first and second legs)
- Quarter‑finals – 13 and 27 March 2024
- Semi‑finals – 17 and 31 March 2024
- Final – 10 May 2024 (Stade de France)
These dates are sourced from UEFA’s 2024 competition schedule (another link in the article). It’s clear that City’s path to the final will be a marathon of 16 games across all fronts – Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and the Champions League. The article notes that Guardiola’s staff will have to manage injuries, fatigue, and fixture congestion with precision.
4. Ancillary Information from Linked Resources
The article’s strength lies in its network of links, each providing depth on a particular match or context:
- “Man City vs PSV – Full Match Report” – offers minute‑by‑minute action, key statistics, and a tactical breakdown of City’s dominant 4‑1 win.
- “Man City vs Real Madrid – Tactical Analysis” – delves into how City’s pressing disrupted Madrid’s ball‑holding game, and how the Spanish club’s counter‑attack threatened the Etihad.
- “Man City vs Celtic – Pre‑Match Preview” – sets the tone for City’s mid‑season regrouping, highlighting Celtic’s defensive organization and the potential for an up‑front break‑through.
These links also provide a historical context: the “Man City Champions League Journey” page on Sporting News chronicles the club’s past European campaigns, underscoring how the 2023‑24 run fits into the club’s broader narrative of success.
5. Practical Take‑aways for Fans
- When and Where: The fixture list is concrete, so fans can plan to watch the live action on the Etihad, Celtic Park, Santiago Bernabéu, or Philips Stadion.
- Broadcast: Matches are televised across the UK on Sky Sports and streamed via BBC iPlayer for certain games; international rights are held by ESPN in the United States and beIN Sports in the Middle East.
- Ticketing: The Sporting News piece links directly to the City’s ticket office, where seats for each fixture can be purchased on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
- Social Media: City’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts will post live updates, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and player interviews during every match.
Final Word
Manchester City’s Champions League journey is already unfolding as a carefully plotted itinerary on the Sporting News article. With a group‑stage lineup that tests every aspect of Guardiola’s philosophy, followed by a knockout schedule that demands depth, resilience, and strategic genius, the club’s road to Europe’s pinnacle is as exciting as it is daunting. For fans and pundits alike, the fixture list is more than dates and venues; it’s a blueprint for one of the most compelling narratives in contemporary football.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/soccer/manchester-city/news/man-city-champions-league-fixtures-schedule-games/6fa34ae602a4d1c918e808fe ]