Champions League 25/26: Manchester City vs Napoli Match Preview & Lineups

Manchester City vs Napoli live

🔍 Match Preview
Defending champions Manchester City face Italian giants Napoli at the Etihad Stadium in one of the standout fixtures of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 group stage. Pep Guardiola’s side continues to dominate domestically and in Europe, but Napoli remains dangerous with attacking flair and explosive transitions.

City's possession-based system and balanced defence go up against Napoli's quick counters, making this one of the most tactically exciting matches of the round.

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📅 Match Schedule

• Fixture: Manchester City vs Napoli
• Competition: UEFA Champions League 2025/26, Group Stage
• Date & Time: Wednesday, 17 September 2025 — 20:00 BST
• Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

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⚽ Team News & Updates

Manchester City:

• Erling Haaland leads the line with Foden and Bernardo Silva.
• Kevin De Bruyne may feature but likely eased into minutes.
• Rodri and Kovačić to control midfield tempo.
• Defence anchored by Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol.

Napoli:

• Victor Osimhen remains the main threat up front.
• Kvaratskhelia provides dribbling and creativity.
• Midfield led by Lobotka and Zieliński.
• Defensive pair: Rrahmani & Juan Jesus.

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🧰 Predicted Lineups

Manchester City (4-3-3):
GK: Ederson
DEF: Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Aké
MID: Rodri, Kovačić, De Bruyne
FW: Bernardo Silva, Haaland, Foden

Napoli (4-3-3):
GK: Alex Meret
DEF: Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera
MID: Lobotka, Zieliński, Anguissa
FW: Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia

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📊 Key Stats

• Man City unbeaten in their last 15 UCL home games.
• Napoli scored in 13 of their last 14 UCL fixtures.
• Last meetings (2017/18): City 2-1 Napoli, Napoli 2-4 City.

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🎯 Prediction
Napoli’s pace can trouble City, but Guardiola’s side is too strong at home. Expect goals on both ends.

Predicted Score: Manchester City 3-1 Napoli