Kevin De Bruyne will make a poignant and high-profile return to the Etihad Stadium this Thursday night, as his new club Napoli travel to Manchester City for their opening League Phase fixture in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League. The fixture marks not only a reunion between player and club but also a compelling clash between two sides with contrasting recent histories in Europe’s elite competition. De Bruyne, who spent a decade orchestrating City’s midfield with elegance and precision, now finds himself wearing the blue of I Partenopei, tasked with leading Antonio Conte’s resurgent Napoli into a new continental campaign. The Belgian maestro’s return is sure to stir emotions among the Etihad faithful, many of whom still regard him as the heartbeat of City’s golden era—a period that yielded 19 trophies, including the long-coveted Champions League crown in 2023.
This encounter rekindles a European rivalry that last flared in the 2017–18 group stage, when Manchester City emerged victorious in both legs, winning 2–1 at home and 4–2 away to secure a 6–3 aggregate triumph. Much has changed since then. City have evolved into perennial contenders, while Napoli have oscillated between domestic promise and continental frustration. Yet the stakes remain high, and the narrative is rich with subplots. For City, the match represents an opportunity to reset their European ambitions after a disappointing 2024–25 campaign that saw them finish a lowly 22nd in the newly expanded 36-team League Phase, managing just three wins from eight matches before bowing out to Real Madrid in the knockout playoff round. That underwhelming run has left Pep Guardiola’s men with a point to prove, and the visit of Napoli offers a chance to reassert their dominance on home soil, where they remain unbeaten in 21 Champions League group-stage or League Phase fixtures (W18 D3).
City’s preparation for this clash has been shaped by a rollercoaster start to their domestic season. Consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton before the international break had raised questions about their form and tactical cohesion, but those doubts were emphatically dispelled last Sunday with a commanding 3–0 derby victory over Manchester United. The win was not only a statement of intent but also a cathartic moment for the club and its supporters, coming in the wake of the tragic passing of Ricky Hatton, the beloved Manchester-born boxing icon and lifelong City fan. On an emotionally charged afternoon, it was fitting that local hero Phil Foden opened the scoring, marking his return from injury with a composed finish that set the tone for the match. Erling Haaland, ever the relentless goal machine, added two more after the interval to seal the win and restore confidence ahead of a crucial European test.
Guardiola will be hoping that the derby triumph serves as a springboard for a sustained run of form, especially with a daunting trip to title rivals Arsenal looming on the weekend. However, the immediate focus must be on the Champions League, where City are entering their 15th consecutive season. The manager faces a delicate balancing act in terms of squad rotation, with several key players nursing injuries. Omar Marmoush (knee), Rayan Cherki (unspecified), Rayan Ait-Nouri (ankle), and Mateo Kovacic (Achilles) are all sidelined, while John Stones is dealing with a minor muscle issue and is unlikely to feature. These absences could open the door for fringe players such as Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake, Nico Gonzalez, Oscar Bobb, and Savinho to stake their claim, though Guardiola is expected to retain the core of his starting XI, including Haaland, who is on the cusp of a historic milestone.
Haaland’s Champions League record is nothing short of astonishing. With 49 goals in just 48 appearances, the Norwegian striker is poised to become the fastest player to reach the 50-goal mark in the competition, potentially eclipsing Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of 62 games. Moreover, he could surpass Thierry Henry’s tally, further cementing his status as one of the most prolific forwards in European football. His physicality, movement, and clinical finishing make him a nightmare for defenders, and Napoli’s backline will need to be at their best to contain him. The absence of Amir Rrahmani (hamstring) and goalkeeper Alex Meret (muscle) complicates matters for Conte, who must rely on a reshuffled defensive unit to withstand City’s attacking onslaught.
Napoli, for their part, arrive in Manchester brimming with confidence after a flawless start to their Serie A title defence. Under Conte’s disciplined and tactically astute leadership, the Neapolitans have won their opening three league matches against Cagliari, Sassuolo, and Fiorentina, showcasing a blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity. The 3–1 victory over Fiorentina last weekend was particularly impressive, with new signings Rasmus Hojlund and Kevin De Bruyne both finding the net in the opening quarter of an hour. Hojlund, fresh from his move away from Manchester United, wasted no time in making an impact, while De Bruyne converted a sixth-minute penalty to notch his second goal of the season. The duo’s early chemistry bodes well for Napoli’s ambitions, though Conte has warned against complacency, citing the late goal conceded to Fiorentina as evidence of lingering lapses in concentration.
Conte’s pedigree in the Champions League is well established, having previously managed Juventus, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Tottenham in the competition. Napoli becomes his fifth European venture, and he will be eager to guide them deep into the tournament after the disappointment of missing out on qualification last season—their first absence since 2009–10. The Italian tactician has instilled a winning mentality and tactical discipline that has transformed Napoli into a formidable outfit, capable of competing with Europe’s elite. However, their record against English opposition remains a glaring weakness. I Partenopei have never won away to an English club in European competition, drawing three and losing nine of their 12 visits. They have suffered defeats against Arsenal, Burnley, Chelsea, Leeds United, Liverpool, and Manchester City, with Leicester City the only exception, having held Napoli to a draw in the 2021–22 Europa League.
Napoli’s squad for the Champions League has been shaped by both strategic additions and unfortunate omissions. Romelu Lukaku, still recovering from a long-term knee injury, has been left out of the UCL roster, along with Luca Marianucci and Pasquale Mazzocchi. Injuries to Nikita Contini (broken hand) and Meret further complicate Conte’s selection, leaving the goalkeeping duties likely to fall to Pierluigi Gollini. In midfield, Scott McTominay is expected to start, having been named Serie A Player of the Year last season following his transformative move from Manchester United. His box-to-box energy and tactical intelligence have made him a key figure in Conte’s system, while Billy Gilmour, formerly of Brighton, may have to settle for a place on the bench. Up front, Hojlund will compete with the towering Lorenzo Lucca—standing at 6ft 7in—for the central striker role, offering Conte two distinct profiles depending on the tactical approach.
The tactical battle between Guardiola and Conte promises to be fascinating. Guardiola’s positional play and fluid attacking patterns will test Napoli’s defensive structure, while Conte’s compact 3-5-2 system, built on quick transitions and aggressive pressing, could exploit any vulnerabilities in City’s midfield. De Bruyne’s role will be pivotal—not only as a creative force but also as a psychological presence. His intimate knowledge of City’s tactical setup and individual tendencies could give Napoli a crucial edge, especially in transition moments. Expect him to operate in the left half-space, linking with McTominay and Hojlund while probing for weaknesses in City’s defensive lines. His reception at the Etihad is likely to be warm, but once the whistle blows, sentiment will give way to strategy.
For Manchester City, the key lies in controlling the tempo and maintaining defensive discipline. With Stones absent and Kovacic sidelined, Rodri’s role as the midfield anchor becomes even more critical. His ability to break up play and initiate attacks will be central to City’s game plan, while Foden’s creativity and Haaland’s finishing provide the cutting edge. Guardiola may opt for a high press to disrupt Napoli’s buildup, though Conte’s side are well-drilled in bypassing pressure through vertical passes and wing-back overlaps. The battle on the flanks—particularly between Savinho and Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo—could prove decisive, as both teams seek to stretch the play and create overloads.
Emotion, history, and ambition converge in this fixture. For De Bruyne, it is a return to familiar territory, but with a new mission. For City, it is a chance to reassert their European credentials and begin the campaign with purpose. For Napoli, it is an opportunity to break their English curse and announce themselves as genuine contenders. The Etihad will be electric, the stakes high, and the football—if both teams play to their potential—could be sublime. As the Champions League anthem rings out and the players take their positions, all eyes will be on the pitch, where past loyalties will be tested, new narratives will be written, and the journey toward continental glory will begin anew.
