Watching a cheerful Foden move effortlessly across the pitch at his best delighted the City supporters, and his contribution to four of the five goals ensured they left in high spirits.
Manager Maresca made a bold decision to change eight players from the team that defeated Ipswich, retaining only Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias and Foden.
Erling Haaland was included in the squad but rested after hurting his foot in the previous match, allowing Maresca to test his idea that Foden could be an effective option as a false nine.
Foden began on the right before moving into the central role later in the contest, a switch that proved successful and one he said he thoroughly enjoyed.
City experienced a short spell of concern early in the second half when their opponents reduced the deficit to 2-1, but the hosts quickly raised their level and had secured a comfortable advantage by full-time.
By the end of the match, Foden had become only the third English player to record both a hat-trick and an assist in a Champions League game, following Wayne Rooney for Manchester United in 2004 and former City colleague Raheem Sterling in 2019.
His first and third goals came from short range, while the second was a superb strike from just inside the penalty area as he shaped his body and guided a first-time shot into the top corner.
Former City defender Joleon Lescott praised Foden’s graceful display and exceptional finishing while discussing the performance on television.
He added that Foden had likely shown the manager he could operate as the team’s central striker whenever Haaland was unavailable during the season.
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