The line-up for Europe's number one competition was finalised over the weekend, along with the overall co-efficients from each competing club.
Final confirmation is still to be made by UEFA but it now looks certain City will end up in Pot Three, even if all the clubs above them in the seedings who must face qualifying ties get knocked out.
And, with Manchester United and Chelsea confirmed as top sides, and Arsenal bound to join them if they make it through their final qualifier, it means City will have just five potential opponents from Pot One.
That list will be headed by Barcelona, whose brilliant display in Saturday's final defeat of United at Wembley has led a growing number to acclaim Pep Guardiola's men as the best club side of all time.
The prospect of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta lining up at Eastlands is a mouth-watering prospect for City's first entry into the Champions League in its present format.
However, there are other big obstacles.
Real Madrid will also be in Pot One, along with Inter Milan, Porto and, if they make it through the qualifiers, Bayern Munich.
AC Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk would appear to be the biggest dangers lurking in Pot Two, both of which could be landed by any of the English teams.
Source: PA
Source: PA