Manchester City Champions League fixtures: Pep Guardiola's side face challenging group stage

Manchester City have been placed in Group C alongside Barcelona, Bourssia Monchengladbach and Celtic

Pep Guardiola will be reunited with his former club Barcelona (Getty)

Manchester City were drawn in Group C of the Champions League group stage alongside Barcelona, Bourssia Monchengladbach and Celtic.

Pep Guardiola's side have been handed the toughest deal among England's clubs and face the monumental challenge of overcoming La Liga champions Barcelona.

The Spanish manager will be set for an earlier-than-anticipated reunion with his former club where he won three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues.

Despite the scale of the challenge now facing City. the director of football, Txiki Begiristain, remained upbeat about the club's European chances.

“It’s not a nightmare draw at all because we are in a wonderful competition and we are really happy to be here," he said. "It's an amazing group.

"But in Barcelona, Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic we know it won’t be easy.

“We reached the semi-final last season and we want to go far in the Champions League again. It is a very difficult competition to win – for everybody - and you need luck along the way, but we are ready and always trying to improve.

Asked if he had spoken to Guardiola about the prospect of returning to his former club, Begiristain said: “No, not yet – but it’s going to come, don’t worry! It’s good for Pep because he knows Borussia very well from his time at Bayern and Barcelona as well so we will see."

When are Manchester City's Champions League fixtures?

Manchester City vs Monchengladbach (13 September)

Celtic vs Manchester City (28 September)

Barcelona vs Manchester City (19 October)

Manchester City vs Barcelona (1 November)

Monchengladbach vs Manchester City (23 November)

Manchester City vs Celtic (6 December)