Akanji, who joined the Club from Borussia Dortmund last week, was handed his debut partnering Ruben Dias at the heart of our defence.
Left-back Gomez meanwhile, who signed for us from Anderlecht last month, was afforded his first City start as Pep Guardiola’s side got our Group G campaign off to a flying start.
Akanji and Gomez both produced assured displays at the Estadio Raman Sanchez-Pizjuan and, according to former City defender Onuoha, illustrated just why they will be key components of our defensive options this term and beyond.
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“Manuel Akanji physically was very dominant and very good on the ball as well and he made it so difficult for their attackers,” Onuoha pointed out on Tuesday’s latest edition of Matchday Live.
“It’s so easy to take a step back and allow people to do stuff in front of you, but he wanted to have an impact on the game.
“Whoever he was up against, they knew he was right behind them, and attackers don’t like it when you put them under pressure even when the game is done.
“In that way one of the people he reminded of in the game was Vincent Kompany. Not to say he’s got the same impact but in that respect (staying tight to opposition forwards) it’s a very similar trait.
“It was a very, very good debut, and you could see that he’s played in the Champions League before.
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“You can see he’s come from a top-quality side and you can see he fits into this City side.
“I also thought Sergio Gomez throughout the game got better and better.
“He stayed consistent, and Jesus Navas wasn’t really able to take him on in the second half.
“He was also coming inside, reading the play, defending high when he needed to and dropping back when needed to.
“And there was no way for them to exposes that side because his decision making was so good.”
