**Pep Guardiola**gets his latest attempt at European glory underway with a clash against **Napoli**on Thursday. **Man City**will reunite with a brilliant Belgian in this game as well as the man who spoiled the Spaniard's first year at the Etihad Stadium: their success "is not a surprise" to the 54-year-old.
‘He is a top class manager’
Since the season when the Citizens first became Premier League champions under Pep, they have been in the running for the Champions League crown. But now, they have doubters to prove wrong.
“Apparently, we are not. We just enjoy the moment, the journey. We are happy to be here. In the past, we have been a contender and just won once. We are just focusing on game we have to play.”
City started their **Champions League**campaign against a **Serie A**side last term, drawing 0-0 with eventual **Champions League**finalists Inter Milan. Even if there are more fixtures to bounce back from dropped points in a new format with the league phase, the Spaniard seeks nothing but a victory.
“We start this competition with more games but when you start with a bad result it is more difficult and last season we draw first game against Inter. Hopefully this season we can get a better result.”
He again faces the reigning Scudetto holders and a man who knows how to whip squads into shape to be competitive. After glory at **Juventus**and Inter Milan, Antonio Conte claimed the title at Napoli.
“He can do it. He is a top class manager. He has done it with all the clubs before. It’s not a surprise.”
‘He’s unique’
Four months after he departed the Etihad Stadium, **Kevin de Bruyne**will return to Manchester. He scored twice in his first three **Serie A**outings: it is nothing Pep has not seen from the Belgian before.
“It's not surprising. The players in that level, they don't need much time to adapt and perform well.”
The 34-year-old is in the twilight of his career, but he still has the magic that made him a legend.
“His incredible talent, vision, pass, assist, goals in the final third. He's unique.”
Pep picked up the **Serie A**Midfielder of the Year, Tijjani Reijnders, for a fee of £46 million. But he will face the MVP of the Year from the division, Scott McTominay, whose unheralded work at Man United has found a home to be celebrated in Italy as a box crasher that grabs goals for his side.
“He has really good conditions. If the team won the Serie A, that happens because the manager and players make an incredible job. When you win, every player always perform on his maximum level.”