Napoli get their marketing campaign underway in troublesome circumstances as they go up towards Premier League giants Manchester Metropolis at The Etihad on Thursday night in a sport that’s anticipated to function the likes of Erling Haaland, Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri, Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund.
Listed below are three key battles to keep watch over when Napoli tackle Pep Guardiola’s facet in their very own again yard this night.
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Three key battles to observe in Napoli vs. Man CityHaaland vs. Buongiorno
Italy worldwide Alessandro Buongiorno might be in for the largest check of his profession to this point when he goes up towards Erling Haaland for the primary time in his profession. The Norwegian large already has three objectives from his earlier three appearances towards Napoli, all of which got here with RB Salzburg in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Erling Haaland celebrates with Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester Metropolis after a save through 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 Pictures)
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Haaland has, as ordinary, been on scintillating type in entrance of purpose these days, with 5 objectives from 4 Premier League appearances, plus one other purpose from a 45-minute run-out with Norway on his report to start out the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
Buongiorno and his anticipated centre-back companion Sam Beukema can have their work minimize out for them to maintain Haaland quiet on his dwelling turf. They might be smart to take a look at the earlier performances of Inter centre-back Francesco Acerbi, who has accomplished nicely at neutralising the Nordic purpose machine throughout most of their current encounters.
Reijnders vs. Lobotka
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester Metropolis celebrates scoring his sides second purpose through the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester Metropolis at Molineux on August 16, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Picture by Alex Pantling/Getty Pictures)
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Two of one of the best midfielders that Serie A needed to supply final season will go up towards one another when Napoli tackle Man Metropolis on the Etihad on Thursday night.
Milan cashed in on Reijnders after one spectacular season in Serie A final time period, and the Netherlands worldwide has gone on to make an instantaneous impression for his new facet, most recurrently starring in a complicated midfield function, as he did once in a while with Milan final season.
If he performs in that superior midfield function on Thursday night, it would probably be as much as Stanislav Lobotka to keep watch over the previous Rossonero and vice-versa.
Bernardo vs. McTominay
NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 23: Scott McTominay of Napoli celebrates victory following the Serie A match between Napoli and Cagliari at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Might 23, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Picture by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
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Napoli boast the reigning Serie A MVP amongst their star-studded midfield, which additionally consists of former Man Metropolis star Kevin De Bruyne in addition to the aforementioned Lobotka.
The Scotland worldwide has began most video games on the left of a 4-1-4-1 for Napoli this season, however with Leonardo Spinazzola offering loads of width from left-back, there may be nonetheless room for McTominay to do his greatest work within the channels and reducing inside.
A mix of Bernardo Silva and Man Metropolis’s chosen right-back, probably Matheus Nunes, must keep watch over the Mancunian, who will probably be returning to his dwelling metropolis for the primary time since leaving Manchester United final summer time.