Manchester City welcome Napoli to the Etihad Stadium as the 2023 winners get their Champions League campaign underway, and it may be an emotional night for one player in particular.
It was written in the stars that, when Kevin de Bruyne signed for the Italian champions in the summer, he would face the Blues in Europe’s top competition, and the draw failed to disappoint as the two teams were paired together last month.
King Kev left at the end of his contract and expressed that he didn’t want to leave. However, Napoli allowed him to continue his career, and the Belgian genius has taken his chance. The Italian side sit top of Serie A, albeit on goal difference from Juventus, but de Bruyne has started the season in fine form.
The match on Thursday night will complete City’s full circle in the Champions League - Napoli were the first team City faced on their return to the Champions League (previously entered the European Cup in 1969) and they had to come from behind on that occasion to earn a 1-1 draw.
Napoli go into the match on the back of winning their opening three fixtures in Serie A, taking the maximum nine points and lead Juventus by a solitary goal difference. They have conceded just one goal in those matches, scoring six.
They started the season with a 2-0 win over Sassuolo, then followed that victory with a 1-0 win at home to Cagliari. Last weekend, Napoli recorded a comfortable 3-1 win at Fiorentina.
Last season, Napoli took their fourth Scudetto, their previous titles coming in 2023, which ended a 33-year wait to be crowned champions again. That title in 1990, together with the title they won in 1987 was during the heyday of Diego Maradona, one of Napoli’s most famous former stars.
Napoli have an abundance of former Premier League stars and they will no doubt look to put one over on the Blues on Thursday evening.
Ballon d’Or nominee Scott McTominay, formerly of Manchester United, joined the Italian side last season and was a key player in their title-winning side. Rasmus Hojlund joined Napoli on loan from United in August and another former red, Romelu Lukaku, joined the Italian side last August.
However, it is former Blue de Bruyne who the Faithful will be eager to see - and also fear. King Kev has made an amazing start to his Napoli career, scoring two, including a debut goal on the opening day of the season.
Former Spurs and Chelsea is the man leading Napoli’s revival. He joined the club in June 2024 and led them to their fourth title, winning the league by just one point from Inter Milan.
Conte lead Chelsea to the Premier League title in 2017 and the FA Cup in 2018, but was sacked by the London side following their 1-0 victory over the Stretford Rangers. In 2021, Conte joined Spurs but left in March 2023 ‘by mutual consent.’
Conte has presided over 44 matches with Napoli, winning 28 and losing just five, giving him a win ratio of a very impressive 64%.
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