Manchester City will begin their Champions League defense against Red Star Belgrade without the injured John Stones, Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic, and Kevin de Bruyne.

Stones has not played since the Community Shield, and Grealish sustained an injury before the international break.

Kovacic was wounded while in Croatia, and De Bruyne is sidelined indefinitely.

In previous season’s final, City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul.

Guardiola: ‘We haven’t done anything extraordinary.’
“Every season, we start the competition with the goal of winning the first game, then the group stage, and finally the Champions League,” said manager Pep Guardiola.

“Nothing has changed since before.

“The same for Red Star on Tuesday.” It is determined by our performance and level. We’re thrilled to be defending this title, but mistakes are not permitted in this competition.

“But we were always so strong at home, nine points from nine.” When that happens, you only need to win one game to qualify. The first step will be taken tomorrow.”

Red Star won the Serbian championship without losing a game last season, but they changed managers this summer and have since lost two of their past three games under Barak Bakhar.