Man City vs. Napoli: 3 key battles to watch as McTominay and De Bruyne return to Manchester

FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Rasmus Hojlund n celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SSC Napoli at Artemio Franchi on September 13, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Napoli get their Champions League campaign underway in difficult circumstances as they go up against Premier League giants Manchester City at The Etihad on Thursday evening in a game that is expected to feature the likes of Erling Haaland, Tijjani Reijnders, Rodri, Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne and Rasmus Hojlund. 

Here are three key battles to keep an eye on when Napoli take on Pep Guardiola’s side in their own back yard this evening. 

Three key battles to watch in Napoli vs. Man City

Haaland vs. Buongiorno 

Italy international Alessandro Buongiorno could be in for the biggest test of his career to date when he goes up against Erling Haaland for the first time in his career. The Norwegian giant already has three goals from his previous three appearances against Napoli, all of which came with RB Salzburg in 2018-19 and 2019-20. 

Haaland has, as usual, been on scintillating form in front of goal lately, with five goals from four Premier League appearances, plus another goal from a 45-minute run-out with Norway on his record to start the 2025-26 campaign. 

Buongiorno and his expected centre-back partner Sam Beukema will have their work cut out for them to keep Haaland quiet on his home turf. They would be wise to look at the previous performances of Inter centre-back Francesco Acerbi, who has done well at neutralising the Nordic goal machine during most of their recent encounters. 

Reijnders vs. Lobotka 

Two of the best midfielders that Serie A had to offer last season will go up against each other when Napoli take on Man City at the Etihad on Thursday evening. 

Milan cashed in on Reijnders after one impressive season in Serie A last term, and the Netherlands international has gone on to make an immediate impression for his new side, most regularly starring in an advanced midfield role, as he did on occasion with Milan last season. 

If he plays in that advanced midfield role on Thursday evening, it will likely be up to Stanislav Lobotka to keep an eye on the former Rossonero and vice-versa. 

Bernardo vs. McTominay 

Napoli boast the reigning Serie A MVP among their star-studded midfield, which also includes former Man City star Kevin De Bruyne as well as the aforementioned Lobotka. 

The Scotland international has started most games on the left of a 4-1-4-1 for Napoli this season, but with Leonardo Spinazzola providing plenty of width from left-back, there is still room for McTominay to do his best work in the channels and cutting inside. 

A combination of Bernardo Silva and Man City’s chosen right-back, likely Matheus Nunes, will have to keep an eye on the Mancunian, who will be returning to his home city for the first time since leaving Manchester United last summer.