Antonio Conte is keen to within the Champions League and has ‘grown my soccer data’ at Napoli making an attempt to steadiness Kevin De Bruyne throughout the crew.
It kicks off on the Etihad on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Commercial
This marks the return of the Partenopei to European soccer after lacking out final season, however profiting from that point to deal with Serie A and win their second Scudetto in three years.
Conte sees Napoli growth
SASSUOLO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, appears to be like on previous to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photographs)
“It’s at all times emotional, as that is crucial European competitors and it permits us to get again into incredible stadiums like this. I used to be already right here for Chelsea and Tottenham, however that is my first time in opposition to Manchester Metropolis in Europe,”
Commercial
Napoli weren’t even in Europe final season, which allowed them to focus solely on Serie A and pipping Inter to the Scudetto by a single level.
In the meantime, the Partenopei have by no means overwhelmed an English crew within the Champions League.
“I didn’t know that! It’ll actually be a troublesome match, as Manchester Metropolis gained virtually every little thing it was attainable to win over the previous couple of years. We’re speaking a few prime membership with a prime coach,” added Conte.
“We come right here with nice humility, but in addition the will to know not the place we’re proper now, as a result of it’s only the beginning of a venture we began final yr, but when we’re rising on schedule.
Commercial
“It’s inevitable that final season we didn’t have the chance to measure ourselves up in Europe. Tomorrow we begin with a giant mountain to climb within the type of Manchester Metropolis, however we’re desirous to measure ourselves up and likewise be taught from the masters of this match.”
Antonio Conte Aurelio De Laurentiis Napoli
, each throughout his outing after leaving Tottenham Hotspur, and particularly when adapting to a brand new expertise at Napoli.
“My best satisfaction is what I’ve been doing at Napoli since final season, which is making an attempt to develop my soccer data too. What we as coaches should do is attempt to decide the gamers we predict are the perfect, so not sacrifice expertise to suit a system or be anchored to concepts,” he continued.
Commercial
“That could be a step I began to make at Napoli final yr, as earlier than that I used to be much more inflexible on the 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1, which had helped me to do nicely at Chelsea and Tottenham. With the arrival of De Bruyne, we tried to seek out the best formulation to get essentially the most gifted gamers working collectively.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Antonio Conte supervisor of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring a purpose with Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli in the course of 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 Photographs)
When requested what system Conte was utilizing now, the Napoli boss was hesitant to present a particular reply past 4 on the again.
Commercial
“It’s also a protracted season, so we will alternate a number of completely different conditions. In fashionable soccer, you play a method when defending, one other when attacking, to present no reference factors. This can be a squad that may additionally play 4-3-3, as we’ve Noa Lang, Politano and Elmas, who’re very versatile.
“Final season, we needed to change usually out of sheer necessity. I need us to proceed alongside that brave and troublesome path, which from tomorrow can permit us to see what the hole is between us and an enormous aspect like Manchester Metropolis.”