UEFA CL: Aït Nouri, the end of a prolonged wait! (video)

Oct 21, 2026

After a month away from the pitch, Rayan Aït-Nouri has finally made his return to competition with Manchester City.

The Algerian international left-back made his comeback yesterday, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute during the match against AEK Athens in the Champions League. This was a much-anticipated appearance for the 25-year-old player, who had been going through a tough time, away from the stadiums and the spotlight.

The Algerian replaced Gvardiol while his team was already leading 4-1 against the Greeks. He touched the ball fifteen times in twenty minutes and witnessed Foden score a hat-trick, bringing the final score to 5-1.

This appearance symbolizes the end of a long wait for the player, eager to regain his rhythm and reintegrate into the Manchester team. For Aït-Nouri, the main objective was to return to competition and reconnect with the sensations of playing after several weeks without any minutes on the field.

Under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, the Algerian defender must now convince his new coach to earn a more significant role in the rotation. In a squad as competitive as Manchester City's, the competition pushes players to seize every opportunity to prove their worth.

DZfoot