Boluwatife Kehinde
Kevin De Bruyne will return to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday in what promises to be an emotional night, as Napoli face Manchester City in the Champions League. The Belgian playmaker, who spent a decade with City, has made a flying start in Italy after joining the Serie A champions this summer.
The 34-year-old midfielder has already scored twice in his first three Napoli appearances, playing a starring role in Antonio Conte’s side as they prepare for Europe’s elite competition with renewed confidence.
De Bruyne arrives in Manchester with the wind in his sails, his form a reminder of the brilliance that earned him six Premier League titles and the Champions League with City in 2023.
Conte has had to reshape his team to accommodate one of the greatest players of his generation, carving out a central creative role for De Bruyne. That adjustment has seen last season’s standout performer, Scott McTominay, shifted to a more advanced role on the left, though the Scot remains dangerous in attack. De Bruyne struck from the penalty spot in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Fiorentina, a match where his range of passing and intelligence dominated the contest.
“The role we’re creating for Kevin is perfect for him,” Conte said. “He’s a bit of a genius. He sees situations that others rarely see.”
The Italian coach has called Wednesday’s clash with City “the moment of truth,” acknowledging Pep Guardiola’s side showed their best form in a dominant Manchester derby victory. Conte, often criticized in the past for lacking flexibility in Europe, insists he has evolved at Napoli and embraces the challenge. “We’re going there as pupils to learn from the masters, me included, hoping one day the pupil beats the master,” he added.
Elsewhere in the Champions League, several blockbuster fixtures will command attention. Defending French champions Paris Saint-Germain face a tricky test against Atalanta, while English giants Liverpool meet Atletico Madrid in a repeat of past European battles. World champions Chelsea travel to Munich for a showdown with Bayern, Ajax clash with Inter Milan in a classic continental rivalry, and Slavia Prague lock horns with Bodo/Glimt.
Meanwhile, Piraeus will host another intriguing tie as Olympiacos welcome Cypriot side Pafos to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, underlining the competition’s depth and drama across Europe.
