Napoli director Giovanni Manna feels ‘remorse’ on the manner their Champions League opener went in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, however hails Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne.
The Serie A sport with Pisa kicks off on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
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The match will likely be proven dwell on TNT Sports activities 1 and DAZN within the UK and Eire. Followers within the USA can watch it on Paramount+.
Napoli balancing Serie A with Champions League
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Erling Haaland of Manchester Metropolis embraces Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli 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)
It is a massive alternative for the reigning Champions of Italy to go clear on the high of the desk, as they are often the one aspect after 4 rounds with a 100 per cent file.
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Nonetheless, it comes days after , a sport the place they have been all the way down to 10 males for over an hour as a result of Giovanni Di Lorenzo purple card.
“We needed to measure ourselves up in opposition to top-of-the-line groups on the earth and perceive our stage. There are regrets we didn’t actually get an opportunity to do this, however that is the way in which the sport went,”
“I noticed a powerful response from the workforce in opposition to a aspect of nice high quality that scored two glorious targets, since you pay for errors at that stage.”
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. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
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The Ballon d’Or ceremony is on in Paris this night, however McTominay couldn’t attend as a consequence of this match.
He was nominated for the primary time and secured a creditable 18th-place end, the very best of any Serie A consultant this season.
“It’s undoubted that McTominay is likely one of the heroes for the followers, so he dived head-first into this venture and everybody loves him. He earned that respect together with his performances and angle.
“Kevin is a good champion, he simply arrived and has a really constructive strategy, so we hope he can also do what Scott did and earn that love.”
NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Lorenzo Lucca of SSC Napoli throughout the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Photos)
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There’s some squad rotation this night in opposition to Pisa, however Lorenzo Lucca appears to have been shoved to the bench by the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund, even after the Romelu Lukaku damage.
“Lorenzo was signed to work together with Romelu and develop in his shadow. He was all the time going to wish time, as it’s a massive step from Udinese to this Napoli, particularly as he’s a participant who arrived fairly late in his profession to Serie A,” defined Manna.
“He has the traits we have been on the lookout for, Rasmus is right here now, however we should give gamers the time to adapt at their very own tempo, and perceive what the coach desires.
“There must be no nervousness, we stay constructive.”