Three Man City players can prove a point to Pep Guardiola vs Red Star Belgrade

Manchester City will play their first Champions League game as holders when they host Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday.

Pep Guardiola's side are defending champions after beating Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul in June, the fitting end to a historic treble-winning year. They are now, more than ever, the scalp that every other team wants.

On paper, a home game against Red Star Belgrade - last season's Serbian champions - presents City with a good chance to get their campaign off to a winning start. And as the fixtures begin to build up, it could also offer Guardiola a chance to rest some of his players.

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The City boss doesn't have the luxury of a squad deep enough to make wholesale changes, and will not be helped by injuries. But there is the chance to rotate and a few fringe players who could do with proving a point.

Guardiola admitted last week that he had spoken with Kalvin Phillips regarding a summer move away. The former Leeds midfielder is not getting a look-in at the moment, with Rodri an ever-present.

But by playing a full 90 minutes for England against Scotland during the international break, he reminded everyone how good he can be. The 27-year-old was comfortable and commanding at Hampden Park and will hope to replicate that quality in the sky blue of City.

Similarly, Sergio Gomez has been unable to displace those ahead of him. Guardiola's preference to keep things solid with at least three central defenders across the back four has affected the Spaniard's minutes, particularly with Kyle Walker taking that final spot with a brilliant run of form on the