The UEFA Champions League returns this season with its new league format, and fans are already looking forward to blockbuster clashes in the opening round.
Among the standout fixtures is the highly anticipated showdown between Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Antonio Conte’s Napoli at the Etihad Stadium.
Both clubs will be aiming to make a strong start, but the spotlight is firmly on the possibility of Napoli to beat Man City in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
The defending Sky Blues will begin their Champions League campaign in front of their home supporters, hoping to put behind them the disappointment of last season.
Guardiola’s side failed to reach the latter stages of the competition, suffering elimination at the hands of Real Madrid in the play-off round after struggling to progress from the league phase.
This season, City will look to make amends, but they face a Napoli side determined to cause an upset.
Paolo Di Canio tells Napoli to capitalize on Man City’s mistakes at the back
Ahead of the clash, former Napoli player Paolo Di Canio has stoked the flames of expectation by urging the Italian club to go all out for victory.
He believes that Man City are vulnerable, especially when pressed into mistakes in possession.
“This is a great opportunity [for Napoli] and we need to seize it immediately. #ManCity are in disarray at the back. They’ve brought in a lot of new players, and when they lose the ball, they’re almost an amateur team,” Di Canio said according to Sport Witness.
Di Canio further stressed that Napoli to beat Man City is not just possible, but achievable if Conte’s men play aggressively and exploit Guardiola’s tactical risks.
Conte’s Napoli will take confidence from their solid start to the season form and their manager’s reputation for setting up defensively disciplined sides capable of striking on the counterattack.
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With City’s new recruits still settling into Guardiola’s demanding system, the Italian tactician may see this as the perfect opportunity to pounce.
Manchester City will welcome De Bruyne back to Etihad
Adding to the intrigue is the return of Kevin De Bruyne to the Etihad, though this time not in Manchester City colours.
The Belgian midfielder, who departed City at the end of last season, joined Napoli under Antonio Conte and is expected to play a central role when the two sides meet on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, the Belgian, widely regarded as one of City’s greatest players, recently admitted that returning as an opponent will feel unusual.
