Key player: Kevin De Bruyne The 30-year-old schemer passed 250 appearances for the club last season and remains a talismanic figure in their midfield despite the riches around him. He has scooped three league titles apiece at the helm of the Catalan club, Bayern and City. When on song, their football is peerless.Ĭoach: Josep Guardiola One of the most decorated coaches in the game, the 50-year-old won this competition twice with Barcelona. They came so close to that elusive first title last term and Josep Guardiola has raised the bar once more as he chases a first Champions League triumph since 2011. City reporter: City have arguably taken their game to another level this season. UEFA ranking: 2 Group A: winners (W4 D0 L2 F18 A10) Last season: runners-up (L 0-1 vs Chelsea) European Cup best: runners-up ( 2020/21)Ĭampaign in ten words: Guardiola's free-flowing outfit have been mesmerising to watch at times. The 23-year-old started this campaign in similar form after winning his first two Portugal caps in June.ĭid you know? Sporting had progressed from the group stage on only one of their eight previous attempts in the Champions League era. Key player: Pedro Gonçalves He had netted just seven career goals for Famalicão before joining Sporting in August 2020 but ended his first term in Lisbon as the league's top scorer with 23. The Lions set a league record for the longest unbeaten sequence in a single campaign – 32 matches unbowed – and dispatched Braga in the League Cup final. Coach: Rúben Amorim The former Portugal midfielder masterminded Sporting's first Liga title in 19 years during his first full season as coach.

Fifa 17 ones to watch