Bayer Leverkusen's Aleix Garcia is eagerly anticipating a significant match against his former team, Manchester City, in the Champions League. Currently, Kasper Hjulmand's squad sits 21st in the league phase with five points from four matches. Meanwhile, City holds fourth place, boasting three wins and a draw. Despite the standings, Garcia has excelled in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Garcia leads with the most successful switches of play and maintains a perfect completion rate on attempted switches (8/8). He also ranks third for line-breaking passes among midfielders this season with 48, trailing only Joey Veerman (70) and Vitinha (63). The Spaniard joined City from Villarreal in 2015 but made just nine senior appearances before leaving
as a free agent in 2020.
The midfielder played only 75 minutes across four Premier League matches during his time at City. Despite limited playtime, he cherishes his experiences under Pep Guardiola. "It's a difficult game, but we will give our best and have our chances to secure the three points," Garcia stated at Leverkusen's pre-match press conference.
Garcia expressed excitement about returning to Manchester and reuniting with former coach Pep Guardiola. "For me personally, it will be a special game. Pep is one of the best coaches in the world. I learned a lot from him when I was here," he said. Although they haven't spoken much this year, they did catch up last summer at a golf tournament.
Leverkusen has struggled historically against English teams in the Champions League. They have lost eight out of ten away games against English sides, securing only one win and one draw. Their sole victory came with a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Tottenham in November 2016.
Challenges Ahead for Leverkusen
Hjulmand acknowledges the challenge ahead: "It's a great game, the Champions League and one of the best teams in Europe. We love this challenge. " Leverkusen will be City's eighth different German opponent in European competition. This match marks City's 39th encounter with German teams (P38 W24 D6 L8).
As Leverkusen prepares for this crucial match against Manchester City, Garcia's return adds an emotional layer to an already intense fixture. His past experiences at City and current form could play pivotal roles as both teams vie for crucial points in their Champions League campaigns.
Hello, Manchester! #MCIB04 pic.twitter.com/ILhSkIeawl
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) November 24, 2025
This upcoming clash promises to be an exciting test for both clubs as they navigate their paths through Europe's premier club competition.
