Manchester City begin their Champions League group stage campaign against Borussia Monchengladbach at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Here, we look at some talking points ahead of the game.
IMPORTANCE OF GETTING OFF TO WINNING START
With Barcelona the clear favourites to win Group C, City cannot afford to make a slow start against a team that will be hopeful of pushing for second spot. With home advantage, good form and confidence from an impressive derby performance and win behind them, City should back themselves to come through against a side they beat twice - albeit with a little difficulty - last season.
COMEDOWN AFTER DERBY ELATION
There have been a number of occasions in City's recent Champions League history when the atmosphere has fallen flat. There are different reasons for this - including supporter antipathy towards organisers UEFA - and this time, after such an exhilarating derby win, there is the potential for it all to feel a little after the lord mayor's show. But Pep Guardiola is a past master at preparing for such games and even tried to downplay the pre-derby hype by making clear Monchengladbach was in his thinking.
IMPORTANCE OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The determination of City to establish themselves as a European force is well known and bringing in Guardiola, a two-time Champions League winner as coach, is clear evidence of their ambition. Guardiola has already referred to the competition as "beautiful" this season and City obviously want to make an impact. After five seasons of steady progression they will hope for another long run.
ATTENTION ON BRAVO
Claudio Bravo endured a difficult debut for City against Manchester United on Saturday, making a mistake that led to conceding a goal and having some other awkward moments. Guardiola may have made clear his desire for a ball-playing goalkeeper, but the Chilean struggled with some of the fundamental handling areas his position requires. After the controversial decision to discard Joe Hart, Bravo needs to convince and his performance will be analysed.
WILL KOMPANY RETURN?
City's impressive start to the season has come without input from their inspirational captain Vincent Kompany because of injury. In the past the team have struggled in his absence and that they are functioning so well without him can only bode well collectively. What it might mean for him personally is another matter, however, as he still has to convince that he can shake off his recurring fitness problems. He is now close to a return and, if he features, he will find himself with something to prove.
Source: PA-WIRE
