Can Joao Cancelo face Man City in Champions League quarter-final vs Bayern Munich?

Manchester City learned their Champions League fate on Friday morning, and there could be some reunions on the cards.

Should City successfully navigate the tie then they will face either Real Madrid or Chelsea in the semi-finals. One of Benfica, Inter Milan, AC Milan or Napoli will play in the final in Istanbul on June 10th.

City have faced Bayern a number of times in the Champions League over the years, but the upcoming meeting promise to carry a little extra spice.

That's because City will be reunited not only with former blue Leroy Sane, but on-loan full-back Joao Cancelo.

While Premier League rules prevent loanees from facing their parent club, such rules do not apply in UEFA competitions.

Also, since 2018 UEFA has allowed players to represent two different clubs in the same European campaign. Therefore, Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann will be able to select Cancelo against City.

Over the past couple of seasons Cancelo established himself as one of City's key creative players, but in the weeks following the 2022 World Cup it became clear that something wasn't right.

The 28-year-old found himself benched for much of January, with Pep Guardiola favouring Nathan Ake and youngster Rico Lewis in the full-back positions.

Cancelo reacted badly to his lack of game time, and City's staff became concerned that his negative attitude would affect the whole group.

Around the same time Guardiola publicly criticised the mood among his squad, so an unexpected exit was the only workable solution.

When Cancelo told the club that he wanted to leave and Bayern made a loan offer, City did not stand in his way.

The player is not a natural fit for Nagelsmann's system, as the coach plays a three-man defence without full-backs.

Whether Cancelo makes the starting XI against City remains to be seen.