UCL Draw: Breaking down Manchester City’s group stage opponents

Manchester City have their European dreams and after quarter-final heartbreak at the hands of Tottenham last season, will have their sights set on securing their first Champions League. A favourable group stage draw will no doubt play a part for Pep Guardiola’s side in their quest to write their name into the history books. 

Opponent: Shakhtar Donetsk 

Best UCL Finish: Quarter-Finals 

Last UCL Finish: Group Stage 

Odds to Win:  501.0 (BetVictor)

Route to the Champions League: Ukrainian Premier League Champions 

Biggest Threat: Taison

Scorer of two goals and registerer of one assist in the group stages in the Champions League last season, Taison will hope to really test Manchester City this time out. Shakhtar Donetsk faced City at this stage last term, but lost both games comprehensively. With a WhoScored rating of 7.51, the Brazilian was one of the club’s standout performers and he’ll fancy his chances against a side that has kept just one clean sheet this season.

Opponent: Dinamo Zagreb

Best UCL Finish: Group Stage

Last UCL Finish: Playoff

Odds to Win: 1001.0 (BetVictor / BetFred)

Route to the Champions League: Qualifying

Biggest Threat: Dani Olmo

One of the unheralded stars of Spain’s U21 Euros success, Dani Olmo was heavily linked with a Premier League switch over the summer, with Tottenham and Manchester United keen. Dinamo Zagreb fought off interest in one of their prized stars and they are all the stronger for it. Olmo completed 30 dribbles in the Europa League last season, no played aged 21 and under made more, and he’ll be the one to watch out for when Manchester City face their Croatian counterparts.

Opponent: Atalanta

Best UCL Finish: N/A

Last UCL Finish: N/A

Odds to Win: 251.0 (Sky Bet)

Route to the Champions League: Top Four Finish in Serie A

Biggest Threat: Alejandro Gomez

As one of only three players to create in excess of 100 goalscoring chances last season, no player created more in Europe’s top five leagues than Alejandro Gomez (112) and as far as a curve ball goes in the group stages, Atalanta are the more difficult to navigate for Manchester City. Operating between the lines with aplomb, any space left by the Manchester City defence will be capitalised upon by Gomez.