Leverkusen´s Garcia relishing return to Man City in the Champions League

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix Garcia is relishing what he believes will be “a special game” against his former club Manchester City in the Champions League.

Kasper Hjulmand’s side are currently 21st in the league phase with just five points from four games, while City are in fourth with three wins and one draw.

Garcia, however, has made the most successful switches of play in the UEFA Champions League this season, as well as having a 100% completion rate on attempted switches (8/8).

The Spaniard also ranks third for line-breaking passes by midfielders this term (48), only behind Joey Veerman (70) and Vitinha (63).

The 28-year-old joined City from Villarreal in 2015, but made just nine senior appearances before leaving as a free agent in 2020.

Four of those matches came in the Premier League, with the midfielder playing a combined 75 minutes in the English top-flight.

Hello, Manchester! #MCIB04 pic.twitter.com/ILhSkIeawl

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) November 24, 2025

However, Garcia is excited about returning to Manchester, as well as a reunion with former boss Pep Guardiola.

In Leverkusen’s pre-match press conference, Garcia said: “It’s a difficult game, but we will give our best and have our chances to secure the three points.

“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.

“We haven’t spoken much this year, but last summer we played and talked together at a golf tournament.”

And Hjulmand added: “It’s a great game, the Champions League and one of the best teams in Europe. We love this challenge. We can’t wait to get started.”

Leverkusen have lost eight of their 10 away games against English sides in the Champions League (W1 D1), with their only victory and clean sheet there coming in a 1-0 win over Tottenham in November 2016.

Leverkusen will be the eighth different German team that City have faced in European competition, in their 39th match against German opposition (P38 W24 D6 L8).