The Champions League draw presented eight opponents who represented some of the easier games City could have been given from each pot and the fixture schedule has also given the Blues a helping hand.
Two of the three most difficult games, away to Juventus and PSG, are saved until the last two matches in the new-look League Phase, but the home games have fallen nicely and Pep Guardiola will consider the draw one of the best outcomes he could have hoped for.
There are a couple of complicated weeks. Inter at home open up the latest Champions League campaign in a repeat of the glorious 2023 final, with a home visit of Arsenal four days later. It will be a huge doubleheader, but home advantage in both helps.
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