Overview

• Manchester City host Serie A champions Napoli on Thursday to begin their Champions League league-phase campaign.
• Pep Guardiola praised his former playmaker’s quality and said he will enjoy the reunion with Kevin De Bruyne “after the game.”
• Antonio Conte consulted De Bruyne for preparation and cast Napoli as “students” visiting the “teachers,” highlighting the gap he aims to close.
• De Bruyne has made a fast start in Naples with two goals in his first three Serie A matches after leaving City following a decade of major trophies.
• Pre-match reporting flags City selection doubts and injuries, reinforcing Guardiola’s emphasis on avoiding a repeat of last year’s injury-hit European struggles.