Manchester City secured a 5-1 victory over AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, marking a significant boost for their Champions League campaign after a recent loss to Paris Saint-Germain. The win was highlighted by Phil Foden’s hat-trick, his first goals since December, as the club sought to regain momentum in the competition.
Manager Enzo Maresca made eight changes to the lineup from the previous Premier League match, resting leading scorer Erling Haaland, who remained on the bench despite being fit following a minor injury sustained against Ipswich Town. The absence of Antoine Semenyo, sidelined for two months with a knee injury, put added pressure on the attacking options. To fill Haaland’s role up front, Maresca gave a rare start to 17-year-old academy graduate Floyd Samba, making only his second senior appearance for the club.
Samba drew praise for his tenacity and work rate, notably winning a free-kick that led to the opening goal. Elliot Anderson, another returning player, capitalized on a rebound from a free-kick by Enzo Fernández to score the early opener. Following that, Foden’s influence grew, combining with full-back Rico Lewis to double the lead before halftime.
Despite a brief period early in the second half when AEK Athens reduced the deficit through Stavros Pilios, Manchester City quickly reasserted control. Goals from French midfielder Rayan Cherki and two further finishes by Foden extended the advantage, underscoring City’s attacking depth despite the rotated squad.
Attendance at the Etihad was lower than usual for a Champions League fixture, with over 20,000 seats vacant. This reflected concerns about fixture congestion, ticket pricing, and fan fatigue, as well as the absence of some star players. In contrast, visiting AEK supporters occupied a spirited section of the stadium, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the match.
City dominated possession with 62% and outshot AEK 17 to 11, showing sustained control despite some moments of complacency. The performance illustrated Maresca's willingness to integrate academy talent and rotate the squad amid a demanding schedule. The manager has also publicly acknowledged working closely with Foden to help renew the player’s confidence and consistency after a lengthy goal drought.
Looking ahead, Maresca’s squad will face Premier League opponents Aston Villa with regained options in attack, even as they await the return of sidelined key players. The team’s capacity to maintain form across multiple competitions will be tested in the coming weeks, but Tuesday’s victory offered a timely reminder of the squad’s resilience and potential.