Napoli held out underneath 10 males after Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s early purple card, however ultimately capitulated to Manchester Metropolis within the Champions League, reducing quick Kevin De Bruyne’s return too.
The fixture checklist gave De Bruyne an instantaneous reunion together with his former teammates in , with Rasmus Hojlund and . Amir Rrahmani and Romelu Lukaku had been injured, with Alex Meret not at 100 per cent, so Sam Beukema and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic stepped in once more. Gigio Donnarumma made his Metropolis debut on the weekend in a 3-0 Premier League win over Manchester United and right here confronted his hometown membership, with ex-Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, John Stones, Kalvin Phillips, Rayan Ait-Nouri and ex-Inter midfielder Mateo Kovacic missed out.
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: A ‘King Kev’ flag is displayed by followers for Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli (not pictured) previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photograph by Ryan Pierse/Getty Photos)
Milinkovic-Savic pushed a ferocious Reijnders strike out from underneath the bar, whereas Donnarumma acquired down rapidly to parry a Beukema header on a nook on the again submit.
Nonetheless, the sport modified when Phil Foden despatched Erling Haaland by and he was introduced down on the sting of the realm by Giovanni Di Lorenzo. The referee had at first waved play on for a clear deal with, however VAR confirmed he didn’t make any contact with the ball, so the purple card was inevitable.
Haaland’s header landed on the roof of the web, so with Napoli struggling right down to 10 males, Antonio Conte sacrificed De Bruyne for Mathias Olivera, shifting Leonardo Spinazzola over to right-back.
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Milinkovic-Savic smothered a scuffed Foden effort and acquired right down to palm away the damaging Rodri volley, however the goalkeeper wanted a collection of saves on the stroke of half-time on headers from Nico O’Reilly first, then Josko Gvardiol.
Politano made a determined interception on the Reijnders first-time strike from 12 yards, redirecting it into the arms of Milinkovic-Savic, and celebrated it like a purpose.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Matteo Politano of Napoli battles for possession with Jeremy Doku of Manchester Metropolis throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photograph by Ryan Pierse/Getty Photos)
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After the restart, Foden flashed an angled drive throughout the face of purpose, however with Politano booked, Napoli moved to a 3-5-1 formation.
Manchester Metropolis broke the impasse ultimately, as Foden intelligently dinked up a ball on the sting of the realm for the fragile Haaland header that looped over Milinkovic-Savic. It was the Norway worldwide’s fiftieth purpose in simply 49 Champions League appearances.
Napoli’s resistance ran out, as Jeremy Doku dribbled between two to squirm down the left and nutmeg Milinkovic-Savic with a beautiful angled drive.
Manchester Metropolis at this level appeared comparatively content material to maintain the ball and never inflict a lot additional harm, which ought to no less than assist Napoli going ahead with purpose distinction on this Champions League format.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli leaves the pitch after being substituted while Pep Guardiola, Supervisor of Manchester Metropolis, speaks to Erling Haaland of Manchester Metropolis throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD1 match between Manchester Metropolis and SSC Napoli at Metropolis of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photograph by Ryan Pierse/Getty Photos)
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Manchester Metropolis 2-0 Napoli
Haaland 56 (M), Doku 65 (M)
Despatched off: Di Lorenzo 21 (N)
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