Rico Lewis explains Man City confidence boost after two assists for Phil Foden in Champions League win

Rico Lewis hopes to build on his performance against AEK Athens after completing 90 minutes and creating two goals on his fourth appearance of the season.

Rico Lewis says Manchester City’s 5-1 win over AEK Athens provided a significant confidence boost after a shortage of playing time this season.

The defender supplied two assists for Phil Foden and completed the match as Enzo Maresca’s changed side secured their second Champions League victory of the campaign.

Speaking in a post-match interview published by Manchester City, Lewis welcomed the opportunity to make a substantial contribution.

“It’s massive for my confidence. I’m just looking forward to more games,” he said.

Rico Lewis makes his opportunity count

Lewis has made four appearances across all competitions this season, according to City.

He explained that limited minutes can increase the pressure a player puts on himself when an opportunity arrives. Against AEK, his approach was to concentrate on his own game rather than force a performance.

The result was an influential evening on the right.

Lewis created Foden’s first goal in the 34th minute, helping City establish a two-goal advantage before the interval. He supplied the England international again after the break as the hosts moved 4-1 ahead.

City’s match report records both contributions, with Ryan McAidoo subsequently providing the delivery for Foden to complete his hat-trick.

Foden partnership gives Maresca another option

Foden took the match ball, but Lewis’s involvement offered Maresca a separate reason for encouragement.

City made eight changes from their win over Ipswich. Lewis responded by helping create chances, demonstrating how a player coming into the side can contribute to its attacking play.

In a separate interview with City Studios, Lewis described his admiration for Foden and the influence his fellow academy graduate had when he first joined the senior squad.

“I almost wanted to be him when I was coming up,” he said.

Their combinations against AEK gave that relationship a practical benefit on the pitch. Lewis supplied the openings and Foden finished them, helping City turn a promising position into a comfortable victory.

A case for more minutes before Aston Villa

Our assessment is that Lewis has strengthened his claim to further opportunities, although one performance does not settle the selection for a different opponent.

AEK briefly reduced the deficit to 2-1 before Rayan Cherki restored City’s cushion. Lewis also acknowledged that a comfortable lead helped him settle into the game.

The next test comes at Aston Villa on Saturday, when City will look to extend their seven-win start to the Premier League season.

For Maresca, Tuesday demonstrated that rotation could produce both a result and useful individual contributions. For Lewis, it supplied the minutes and end product he now wants to build on.