Kevin De Bruyne go make quick return to Etihad Stadium as his new Napoli side dey face Manchester City for their opening League Phase clash of the 2025-26 Champions League on Thursday night.
Na the first time both teams go meet for Europe since the 2017-18 group stage, when City win both legs 6-3 on aggregate.
Match Preview
Manchester City bounce back from two straight defeats before the international break with a big 3-0 derby win against Manchester United.
Phil Foden open the scoring on his emotional return, before Erling Haaland add two more to seal the bragging rights. Pep Guardiola dey hope say the result go spark form revival, after wetin don be a slow start to the campaign.
Despite being 2023 winners, City flop last season, finishing just 22nd in the new 36-team League Phase (W3 D2 L3) before Real Madrid knock dem out.
Form wise, dem lose four of their last five Champions League games (W1), but Etihad still dey fortress — 21-match unbeaten run in group/League Phase (W18 D3). On matchday one, City get fine record too: five wins and one draw across their last six openers.
Napoli, fresh off a Serie A title under Antonio Conte, don begin this season sharp, winning their first three league games.
Rasmus Hojlund mark his debut with goal in the 3-1 win at Fiorentina, after De Bruyne score early penalty. But Conte still dey push his men to stay focused till final whistle, after they slack late for Florence.
This na Napoli’s ninth Champions League campaign, and Conte dey manage his fifth different team for this tournament.
The Italians dey strong in group/League Phase recently (W11 D4 L3 last 18), but their European record in England dey poor — winless in 12 away matches against English clubs (D3 L9). City already beat them home and away in 2017-18, so history dey against them.
Team News
- Man City: Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Cherki (unspecified), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle) and Mateo Kovacic (Achilles) all dey out. John Stones get minor muscle issue. Pep fit rotate, with Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake, Nico Gonzalez, Oscar Bobb and Savinho pushing for starts. Haaland go surely start, chasing record as fastest to 50 UCL goals (currently 49 in 48 apps).
- Napoli: Kevin De Bruyne dey set for emotional Etihad return. But Romelu Lukaku (knee) miss out, alongside Luca Marianucci, Pasquale Mazzocchi, Amir Rrahmani (hamstring), Nikita Contini (hand) and Alex Meret (muscle). Hojlund dey compete with Lorenzo Lucca for striker spot. Scott McTominay likely start, while Billy Gilmour may sit on bench.
Possible Lineups
Manchester City XI: Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, Ake; Rodri, Gonzalez; Savinho, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Napoli XI: Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Lobotka; Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Hojlund
Prediction
TPB Verdict: Napoli dey score freely (15 of their last 16 group/League Phase games get goals), and De Bruyne fit shine back at Etihad. But City, powered by Haaland’s hot streak, get edge for home ground. We dey call am Manchester City 2-1 Napoli.
