[NAPLES, ITALY - APRIL 27: Antonio Conte Napoli head coach looks on before the Serie A match between Napoli and Torino at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 27, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY - APRIL 27: Antonio Conte Napoli head coach looks on before the Serie A match between Napoli and Torino at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 27, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)](https://football-italia.net/conte-explains-napoli-choices-manchester-city/) Antonio Conte explains some of his choices as Napoli take on Manchester City with his first Champions League game in over two years. ‘I get passion from all football.’
It kicks off at the Etihad City of Manchester Stadium at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
The Partenopei are back in the Champions League after being able to focus only on Serie A last season, and immediately face a difficult trip to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Conte sticks to Napoli plan with Manchester City
FLORENCE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte manager of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Curiously, both Napoli and Manchester City made zero changes from the sides that won in their domestic leagues at the weekend.
“We both confirmed the same starting XI as the weekend,” Conte told Sky Sport Italia.
Alex Meret is not at 100 per cent, but the coach reveals Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was picked in goal as a tactical decision too.
“It was a choice for the goalkeeper, it does not depend on any injury problems.”
CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY - AUGUST 14: Vanja Milinkovic Savic of Napoli looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Napoli and Olympiacos at Stadio Teofilo Patini on August 14, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY – AUGUST 14: Vanja Milinkovic Savic of Napoli looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Napoli and Olympiacos at Stadio Teofilo Patini on August 14, 2025 in Castel di Sangro, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
Guardiola has a very particular style of football, so Conte was asked if he will maintain the same tactical approach that Napoli have used so far this season.
“We try to continue along our path, but you must also understand what the opponents will allow you. Nothing changes for us, we started this journey last season and will continue with our approach, no matter who we are up against.”
This is Conte’s return to the Champions League too, as his last game in this tournament was Tottenham Hotspur’s 0-0 draw against Milan in March 2023.
“I feel the same emotion, whether it’s the Champions League, Serie A, Coppa Italia or a friendly. This is the passion I get from all football,” smiled the coach.
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