After beating Manchester United 3-0 on the weekend, Pep Guardiola could make a few changes to his Manchester City side as they prepare to host Napoli in the Champions League.
Kevin De Bruyne will face Manchester City and return to the Etihad Stadium for the first time since his exit this summer, as the occasion is bound to be a special one for the Belgian and Sky Blues fans worldwide.
As much as Pep Guardiola admires De Bruyne, he will be determined for City to build upon their triumph in the Manchester Derby by beating Antonio Conte’s side.
Ahead of the contest, the Manchester City manager could make a few changes to his side to face Napoli, as several of his players are injured.
Pep Guardiola celebrates after Manchester City v Manchester United
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Man City team news vs Napoli
Rayan Ait-Nouri has suffered an ankle injury, which could rule him out of action until after the international break in October.
His namesake Rayan Cherki could be sidelined for two months after suffering a thigh injury while Omar Marmoush could miss six weeks of football after his knee injury.
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Mateo Kovacic is unfit as well after suffering a “chronic heel bone injury” while the injured John Stones was not even named in City’s squad against Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola could make three changes to his side vs Napoli
Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to keep his place between the sticks against Napoli after looking the part on his Manchester City debut.
At right-back, Rico Lewis could take Abdukodir Khusanov’s place, keeping in mind that the latter may be rested with City’s contest against Arsenal on Sunday in mind.
Ruben Dias could retain his place in the side to face Napoli, with the defender usually being one of the first names on Manchester City’s team sheet in big games.
Nathan Ake came off the bench against Manchester United and he could replace Nico O’Reilly, as the Dutchman is yet to start a game this season.
However, Josko Gvardiol could take O’Reilly’s place at left-back, having been trusted in the position by Guardiola since joining Manchester City in 2023.
Rodri may be given a breather, keeping City’s contest against Arsenal in mind.
Manchester City's predicted line-up against Napoli in the 2025/2026 Champions League
Credit: GRV Media
Instead, Nico Gonzalez could anchor City’s back four.
Alongside Nico, Tijjani Reijnders could start from the off as he would be hoping to make an impression after struggling against Manchester United.
After Foden garnered praise for impressing against Manchester United, he seems likely to play from the off against Napoli after making his first start for Manchester City this season on derby day.
Considering Pep Guardiola subbed Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland off against United, he perhaps did so to keep his front three fresh ahead of the clash against the Serie A champions.
Man City predicted line-up vs Napoli: Donnarumma, Lewis, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Nico, Reijnders, Foden, Bernardo, Haaland, Doku