Napoli will little doubt have been finding out the Manchester derby intensely, or on the very least will watch over the match within the coming days forward of their Champions League opener towards Manchester Metropolis on Thursday.
Antonio Conte’s facet shall be seeking to do what Manchester United couldn’t and win on the Etihad Stadium.
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The Pink Devils have been brushed apart 3-0 by Pep Guardiola’s crew as we speak, with targets from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland sealing the three factors; Italian goalkeeper .
Nonetheless, regardless of the scoreline, Metropolis didn’t look overly convincing and managed to reap the benefits of their rivals on the counter-attack to seal the convincing consequence.
So, what can Napoli study from as we speak’s recreation as they put together to tackle the English giants later this week?
Manchester Metropolis’s overwhelming dominance is over
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Erling Haaland celebrates with Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester Metropolis after a save throughout the Premier League match between Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photograph by Carl Recine/Getty Photos)
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If it was not evident from the membership’s third-place end final season, their lowest end since 2016-17, the Manchester Metropolis of as we speak is a special beast to the one which received six titles in seven seasons between 2017-18 and 2023-24.
That Metropolis was filled with elite gamers within the prime of their profession, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Sergio Aguero creating many comfortable reminiscences for Metropolis followers in that period.
Now, Metropolis are hardly weak. They nonetheless have a number of the greatest gamers on the earth, like prolific quantity 9 Erling Haaland who scored twice as we speak for the membership.
Nonetheless, Metropolis not seem to be an untouchable Goliath and as an alternative look barely extra of a manageable problem to beat.
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Guardiola’s facet have already misplaced twice this season, towards Brighton and Spurs. Even as we speak, the crew regarded uncomfortable for intervals of the sport towards a a lot weaker United facet who’re nonetheless struggling to search out momentum themselves.
United had some good possibilities however in the end their ending allow them to down and allowed Donnarumma to steal a debut clear sheet.
If Napoli can arrive in Manchester, play their very own recreation on their phrases and reap the benefits of intervals the place Metropolis change off, there may be nothing stopping them from returning house to Naples with not less than some extent.
Guardiola’s Metropolis look most harmful on the counter – Might Napoli give them style of their very own medication?
FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte supervisor of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a aim with Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli throughout the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photograph by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Photos)
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Whereas prior to now, Metropolis’s means to win video games would stem from their means to overwhelm their opposition and preserve possession for giant chunks of the sport, the angle seems to have shifted.
Manchester United completed the sport with probably the most possession and whereas that is partly a results of the game-state wherein the Pink Devils dominated the second half as Metropolis sat again, it’s not one thing we might see usually from Guardiola prior to now decade.
Nonetheless, Metropolis have been harmful as a result of they weren’t counting on retaining possession and as an alternative regarded to take advantage of United with quick counter-attacks.
Particularly as soon as the Cityzens took their lead within the 18th minute by means of Phil Foden, Guardiola’s facet defended extra and allowed their opposition to creep up the pitch.
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With wingers comparable to Jeremy Doku, who was in positive kind as we speak with two assists, Metropolis have gamers able to breaking at vital velocity.
Napoli will must be cautious when committing males ahead and will discover extra fortune in permitting Metropolis to have extra of the ball and giving them a style of their very own medication.
Particularly with Rasmus Hojlund within the Napoli assault, who’s proficient at making runs in behind and latching on to by means of balls. The Dane has the tempo too, in addition to the expertise of getting already performed towards Metropolis prior to now.
Lack of depth may harm Metropolis & Napoli have further day to arrange
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolverhampton Wanderers arrives on the stadium the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Fulham FC at Molineux on February 25, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photograph by Naomi Baker/Getty Photos)
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have already got a small roster of vital gamers who’re unavailable by means of harm.
John Stones and Mateo Kovacic are nonetheless carrying minor accidents and are anticipated again quickly. Stones could also be accessible for Thursday’s recreation however Kovacic shouldn’t be anticipated again till October.
In the meantime, summer time signings Rayan Ait Nouri and Rayan Cherki are additionally not anticipated again till the tip of October.
Egyptian ahead Omar Marmoush is battling a knee harm and is due again within the subsequent few weeks.
Metropolis’s bench of 9 gamers as we speak was not horrible however lacks any actual firepower to assist the facet in case of drained legs.
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Immediately, Guardiola selected to deliver on Nico Gonzalez, Savinho, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake, all of whom are proficient gamers however hardly ever those to show a recreation on its head.
James Trafford, Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis, Stephen Mfuni and Divine Mukasa have been unused subs as we speak however once more don’t encourage confidence if Metropolis are chasing a recreation.
Napoli will even have a valuable further day to get well and put together for Thursday’s match, having received yesterday 3-1 towards Fiorentina.
Metropolis will come straight off the again of a Manchester derby after they welcome Conte’s facet to England and Napoli may use their health benefit to swing the stability of their favour.