Kevin De Bruyne will walk back into the Etihad Stadium on Thursday with momentum firmly on his side after an impressive start to life at Napoli, who arrive in Manchester unbeaten and brimming with confidence.
The Belgian midfielder, 34, has scored twice in his first three Serie A matches and quickly established himself as the heartbeat of Antonio Conte’s side, which is targeting a statement run in this season’s Champions League following last year’s Serie A triumph.
For De Bruyne, it marks an emotional return to the club where he won six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023, before injuries disrupted the final stages of his Manchester City career.
Conte, who has built his reputation on tactical rigidity, has reshaped Napoli’s midfield to accommodate De Bruyne, granting him a central creative role. That adjustment saw Scott McTominay shifted wider during Saturday’s 3-1 win over Fiorentina, where De Bruyne scored from the spot and dictated play with his passing range.
“The role we’re creating for Kevin is perfect for him because he loves having the ball at his feet,” Conte said after the match. “He’s a bit of a genius. He sees situations that others rarely see.”
Conte called Wednesday’s clash against Pep Guardiola’s side “the moment of truth,” acknowledging both the scale of the challenge and the learning curve for his squad. “We’re going there as pupils to learn from the masters, me included, in the hope that the pupil may one day beat the master,” he added.
Napoli enter the contest buoyed by a series of astute signings. Summer arrivals Rasmus Hojlund, Noa Lang, and goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic have added depth, while defender Sam Beukema marked his debut with a goal against Fiorentina. Despite the absences of injured duo Romelu Lukaku and Amir Rrahmani, Conte has a refreshed squad at his disposal.
Backed by owner Aurelio De Laurentiis’ careful investments, Napoli’s resurgence is anchored on De Bruyne’s brilliance. His return to Manchester promises both nostalgia and drama in a fixture that pits old loyalties against new ambitions.
