Confirmed Line-Ups: Manchester City vs Napoli (UEFA Champions League League Phase)

Manchester City welcome Napoli to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night for matchday one of their league phase adventure in the UEFA Champions League.

Having returned from the first international break of the new season and off the back of successive defeats in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s squad managed to put in a much more encouraging performance last time out in the Manchester derby.

A first-half header from Stockport-born Phil Foden gave Manchester City the lead over Ruben Amorim’s side, before a brace from Erling Haaland wrapped up the much-needed three points in a game that could have been won by a much greater margin in truth.

The debut test in Europe’s premier club competition not only pits City against the reigning champions of Italy guided by the hugely successful Antonio Conte, but also marks a return against legendary former midfield playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne and Napoli currently lead the Serie A table on goal difference with three wins from their first three Italian top-flight fixtures, scoring six goals and conceding just the one strike in that period.

Pep Guardiola has a number of injury concerns to contend with at present, as all of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, and Omar Marmoush remain sidelined with more longer-term issues, while Mateo Kovacic is close to a return, and John Stones and Kalvin Phillips develop fitness.

Ahead of kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, here is how both Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte have lined up their respective Manchester City and Napoli sides in UEFA Champions League action!

Manchester City

Starting XI: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Rodri, Reijnders, Foden; Bernardo (C), Haaland, Doku.

Substitutes: Trafford, Bettinelli, Lewis, Nunes, Mfuni, Ake, Nico, Mukasa, Bobb, Savinho.

Napoli

Starting XI: Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Lobotka; Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Hojlund.

Substitutes: Meret, Ferrante, Gutierrez, Jesus, Olivera, Gilmour, Elmas, Vergara, Neres, Lucca, Ambrosino.