And with the window set to slam shut in six days’ time, there’s also some transfer gossip knocking around, too.
Let’s start with Jonathan Spencer’s analysis for Mailonline.
He takes a look at City’s group, assesses each opponent and highlights key players who City will need to be aware of.
Of Shakhtar Donetsk, Spencer writes:
“Guardiola will be very relieved that his side have avoided the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus from pot one. City should be very confident of beating the Ukrainian outfit at the Etihad but the clash away from home will be very tough.
“Shakhtar won their 10th championship title last season and have some silky players in their ranks. An away game at Shakhtar is always very tricky, with a hostile atmosphere.
“Key player - Taras Stepanenko
“The 28-year-old is a talented player, who plays as a box-to-box midfielder and can cause City’s midfield and defence a host of problems.
“He has the capability to put in a lot of defensive work and can also contribute with assists and goals.”
Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier says City’s group is favourable when compared to who the Blues could have ended up with.
“It’s a decent group from their pot and there was plenty of massive teams that they could have got, and Shakhtar certainly are not in the same bracket,” he says. “Can a Manchester club win the competition this year though? I still think the Premier League sides are a long way behind the favourites and I’d be surprised if a Premier League side won it.”
Meanwhile, on the transfer front, City remain interested in signing Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez before the end of the transfer window, according to Jack Gaughan writing in the Mail.
He says the Chilean has been on City’s wishlist all summer – but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has so far been unwilling to sanction a deal.
But with the end of the window looming, Gaughan says Wenger’s resolve could be tested - or Pep Guardiola may be willing to wait until next summer to land Sanchez.
“Manchester City still hold hope of landing Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez before next week’s transfer deadline,” he writes.
“Pep Guardiola identified the Gunners forward as a primary target this summer but has been surprised by Arsene Wenger’s resolve in keeping his prized asset, valued at more than £50million.
“Sanchez - who is set to link up with the Chile squad next week - is open to a switch north but much depends on whether Arsenal fold in the final days of the window.”
And, finally, Michael Potts, writing in the Express, expects City to go with an attacking lineup in Saturday’s game against Bournemouth.
City have taken four points from their opening two matches of the season and Potts says Raheem Sterling is pushing for a place in City’s starting lineup after his superb second-half display against Everton on Monday.
“Pep Guardiola loves nothing more than tinkering with his Manchester City line-up; a nightmare for both opposition bosses and Fantasy Football managers alike,” he writes.
“City face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium but that won’t stop them from going all-guns-blazing with a highly attacking team.
“Raheem Sterling’s form could see the England winger claw a spot in the line-up with Leroy Sane also battling for his place.”
That’s all for today, Blues. Same time, same place tomorrow.
