Noel Gallagher is anticipating a 'weird night' as Kevin De Bruyne makes his return to Manchester City.
The Belgian midfielder is set to feature for Napoli as the two sides meet in their Champions League opener at the Etihad Stadium.
Gallagher has sent the midfielder a message ahead of the clash with Napoli
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Gallagher has sent the midfielder a message ahead of the clash with NapoliCredit: AFP
City host the Italian champions at 8pm, live on talkSPORT 2.
It will be the first time De Bruyne has faced his former club following his departure in the summer.
The 34-year-old spent a decade in Manchester and replaced Kyle Walker as club captain during the second half of last season.
Following his exit at the end of the campaign, though, De Bruyne penned a two-year deal with Napoli.
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City fan Gallagher is desperate for the returning hero not to score on Thursday night.
The Oasis star told talkSPORT Drive: "I've just texted him actually, I begged him not to score.
"It'll be a weird night… to see him in a different kit and to see him line up against us will be quite emotional, because he's the king.
"I expect him to have a great game and I expect him to make assists. Just as long as he doesn't score."
De Bruyne made 422 appearances for City following his arrival from Wolfsburg in 2015.
Across those matches, he scored 108 goals and provided 177 assists for his team-mates.
De Bruyne won 16 trophies and made 422 appearances during 10 years with City
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De Bruyne won 16 trophies and made 422 appearances during 10 years with CityCredit: Getty
His 16 trophies with the club included six Premier League titles and an historic treble in 2023.
It remains to be seen whether De Bruyne will celebrate if he scores against City, though, having already opened his Napoli account.
Gallagher does not expect him to do so but admits players should always celebrate a goal against their former clubs.
He added: "I think they should [celebrate]. If it's De Bruyne, who's been there 10 years, that's fair enough.
"You see a lad who scored and played three games for the reserves, they hold their hands up to the crowd, you're thinking, 'Idiot'.
"But people like Kev, who's been there for the peak of his career, I suppose he's not going to celebrate. But I think he should celebrate a goal, always."
The 34-year-old has already scored twice in three appearances for Napoli this season
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The 34-year-old has already scored twice in three appearances for Napoli this seasonCredit: Getty
De Bruyne has made three appearances for Antonio Conte's side already this season.
His trio of Serie A starts have produced two goals after he found the net against Sassuolo and Fiorentina.
Those away victories came either side of a home win over Cagliari to help Napoli make a perfect start to their title defence.
However, they have failed to win on their two previous trips to the Etihad Stadium.
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Their most recent trip ended in a 2-1 defeat during the Champions League group stage in 2017, with De Bruyne assisting Gabriel Jesus' winning goal.
Meanwhile, the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the same stage of the competition six years earlier.