Aleix Garcia looks ahead to Manchester City reunion with Bayer Leverkusen | OneFootball

Manchester City will this week reunite with one of their more successful Academy graduates as Aleix Garcia returns to the Etihad Stadium with Bayer Leverkusen.

The midfielder’s trip back to Manchester arrives at a fascinating moment for both clubs, with City looking to regain rhythm after a frustrating domestic setback and Leverkusen continuing their strong European campaign under Xabi Alonso’s successor.

Garcia, now an established figure in Germany and a key component of Leverkusen’s midfield, left City in 2020 after several loan spells, but his development since has earned him widespread admiration and a chance to show his progress against his former side.

For City supporters, Garcia’s return may prompt memories of a hugely gifted young playmaker who was highly regarded within the Academy setup but found senior opportunities difficult to come by amid fierce competition.

The Spaniard made just a handful of first-team appearances under Pep Guardiola, yet his technical profile always aligned with the style City value. His performances in La Liga and the Bundesliga in recent years have highlighted why he was once seen as one of the brightest midfield prospects.

With the Etihad Stadium set for a lively European night, Aleix Garcia’s presence adds an emotional subplot to a tie that already carries significant tactical intrigue. Leverkusen’s high-tempo structure will test City’s control, who will be looking to respond positively after falling short at Newcastle over the weekend.

Speaking during a new interview with The Times, former Manchester City midfielder and now-Bayer Leverkusen star Aleix Garcia reflected on his time at the Etihad Stadium and his reunion with the club on Tuesday night.

“I’m excited. I’ve been speaking with Rodri over the past few days and I told him I’m really looking forward to setting foot on the Etihad again and reliving those emotions — people treated me incredibly well during those two years,” said the Spaniard.

He continued, “I wouldn’t go as far as saying it feels like coming home, but it is a club that opened the doors to professional football for me and I’ll always be grateful for that.

“I imagine that when my name is read out on the tannoy some people will remember me, but I’m not expecting a heroic welcome. It’s been a long time, I was very young, and I played little for the first team.

“But it will definitely be a special night because part of my family is coming to Manchester: my wife, my father, a friend and Mágico Díaz, my agent.”

On the subject of Pep Guardiola specifically, Aleix Garcia said, “I don’t think anyone could have imagined he’d still be at City, but he’s different from the rest. He’s a club legend.

“I’m happy to see him again. We haven’t exchanged messages recently, but we’ve crossed paths at a few golf tournaments and it’s always nice spending some time with him.”

As the reunion approaches, Garcia will likely receive warm recognition from sections of the Etihad crowd who remember his promise as a teenager. For City, the focus will be on delivering a more polished performance than the one produced at St James’ Park.

A strong reaction in European competition would no doubt help reset momentum, while facing a familiar figure like Aleix Garcia could offer some extra motivation for the midfield battle.

Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, will hope Garcia’s emotional return fuels a standout display in one of the biggest fixtures of their season. Should he impress, it may further validate the journey that took him from an overlooked youngster at Manchester City to a central figure in a senior European outfit.