Slovan Bratislava Faces Tough Test Against Stern Manchester City Insiders

Vladimir Weiss Sr's side will face a tough challenge on Oct 1 as they host the reigning champions, Manchester City, at Tehelne Pole.

To make things even trickier, Pep Guardiola’s side will be keen to get their first win on the board in this new expanded league format of the competition, having been held to a goal-less draw by Inter Milan in their opener.

But they do have some insider knowledge of the Manchester club, with captain Vladimir Weiss Jr – son of the coach – and Robert Mak both former City youth players.

The pair were both members of the Citizens’ FA Youth Cup winning team in 2008, alongside Kieran Trippier and Daniel Sturridge – who both later played for England.

While Mak, 33, did not make an appearance for City, Weiss Jr, 34, played a handful of times for the club and was even described by then manager Mark Hughes to have the potential to be a “top Premier League player”.

While that never panned out, the duo will be hoping to remind City fans of their existence, or at least hopefully help Bratislava to a better second outing in Europe’s premier club competition.

Meanwhile, fellow serial Champions League underdogs Celtic will face their toughest test this term as they travel to the Westfalenstadion to face last season’s beaten finalists Borussia Dortmund.

Brendan Rodgers’ men sit second in the table of the new-look format – behind only Bayern Munich –and have a 100 per cent record in all competitions this season.

In eight consecutive wins they have plundered 33 goals.

Dortmund also made a winning Champions League start, thanks to three late goals to beat Club Brugge 3-0.

“We know we can go there with real confidence,” said Rodgers of the trip to Germany, despite being heavy underdogs.

“It’s a dream and they can live it. We’re going to a great stadium and we’re going to go there to show all the qualities that will hopefully give us an opportunity to get the result.”

Celtic captain Callum McGregor added: “There’s no reason why we can’t go and see where our football is at, compared to these teams.”