Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo admits he ‘joked’ with Gigio Donnarumma about tonight’s and feels Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne are ‘accustomed to huge challenges.’
Di Lorenzo spoke to Sky Sport Italia just some hours earlier than the kick-off of Manchester Metropolis-Napoli on Thursday.
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The Partenopei are again in Europe’s elite competitors after one season.
“We missed the Champions League, and we’re pleased to play in it once more. Metropolis are a robust aspect, however this match might be useful to measure our degree,” Di Lorenzo mentioned
Tonight’s recreation will see Italy captain Donnarumma reunite with a number of compatriots, together with Di Lorenzo.
This will even be Donnarumma’s first-ever Champions League recreation for Manchester Metropolis.
Di Lorenzo ‘joked’ with Donnarumma about Man Metropolis vs. Napoli
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester Metropolis provides the workforce directions in the course of the Premier League match between Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Michael Regan/Getty Photographs)
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Learn extra – Donnarumma reveals his favorite Serie A golf equipment: ‘Arduous to decide on’
“We now have spoken lately, and we joked concerning the recreation even in the course of the [Italy national team] coaching retreat,” Di Lorenzo admitted.
The Napoli captain and his teammates in defence may have a difficult job tonight as they’ll come up in opposition to the most effective centre-forwards in Europe, Erling Haaland.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Erling Haaland celebrates with Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester Metropolis after a save in the course of the Premier League match between Manchester Metropolis and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Picture by Carl Recine/Getty Photographs)
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“We all know how devastating he’s; we’ll want a high-level defensive efficiency to cease him,” mentioned Di Lorenzo.
“We’ll should be good in assault as nicely, making an attempt to benefit from the few weak factors they’ve.”
Di Lorenzo: De Bruyne and McTominay ‘accustomed to huge challenges’
SASSUOLO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli and teammate Scott McTominay pose for a photograph at full-time following their victory within the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Picture by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photographs)
McTominay and De Bruyne have had a convincing begin to the season on the Stadio Maradona and can begin on the Etihad Stadium tonight. The Belgian will reunite along with his ex-fans for the primary time since leaving Metropolis on the finish of his contract in June.
“They’re accustomed to huge challenges; they received’t endure from Champions League stress,” Di Lorenzo concluded.