Manchester City kick off their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign with a heavyweight clash against Napoli at the Etihad, but the spotlight will inevitably fall on the return of Kevin De Bruyne against his former club, where he is a bona fide legend. Softfootball reported that the noisy neighbours showed their superiority against Manchester United when they won the Manchester derby comfortably by a 3-goal margin.
Manchester City posted a story video on the team’s official X account about the journey of the Belgian and how he became a club legend.
Watch the video below:
The Belgian midfielder, who left City in the summer after a decade of brilliance, will line up in the colours of the Italian champions for the first time back on Manchester soil. For Pep Guardiola, the reunion is both professional and deeply personal he adress the return of bis former player in the pre game interview uploaded on the club’s official website.
Pep Said:
Of course it’s nice for him to come back. [I’m excited] to see him after the game, Not surprised [on his start in Italy].
He plays at that level, absolutely quick – the players at that level don’t need to adapt. [What does he give to Napoli?] His incredible talent, vision, pass, assists and goals in the final third. He’s unique.
Napoli boss Antonio Conte has wasted no time building around him. De Bruyne has already scored twice in three Serie A outings, helping the club to the top of the table. His sharp start underlines why Guardiola isn’t surprised by the immediate impact.
For City, the opening night also carries weight. Last season’s European run ended disappointingly at the hands of Real Madrid in the playoff round. Guardiola stressed the importance of starting strongly under the Champions League format and has earlier backed his No. 9, Erling Haaland, to deliver once again, hailing him as a special player after the Norwegian scored a ruthless brace against United.
.He Said:
We have to start well this competition, There are more games than previous seasons but if you start with a bad result, it’s always more difficult. We drew last season v Inter, hopefully we can get a better result. Just enjoy the moment, the journey, we are happy to be here and just focus on the game tomorrow, the game we have to play. The priority is the next game, always it has been since I arrived here.
As a manager you don’t choose the competitions, next game we go to Huddersfield and that’s the most important one.The history of this organisation is that we take every game seriously.
Manchester City are considered among the favourites to lift the Champions League trophy, a feat they achieved just two seasons ago when they won the treble, and both Pep Guardiola and his players know the importance of a really strong start.
