The UEFA Champions League returns with a blockbuster conflict on the Etihad Stadium as Manchester Metropolis welcomes Napoli within the opening League Part fixture of the 2025-26 season. All eyes had been set on the mouth-watering reunion of Kevin De Bruyne along with his former membership, however Napoli should tackle this heavyweight problem with out their star striker, Romelu Lukaku. For supervisor Antonio Conte, it is a main headache because the Italian outfit goals to start out its European marketing campaign with a robust outcome.
Metropolis comes into the match after a confidence-boosting 3-0 victory over Manchester United within the Premier League. This will probably be its fifteenth consecutive season within the Champions League, and after final yr’s disappointing exhibiting — ending twenty second within the League Part standings and crashing out towards Actual Madrid within the knockouts — Guardiola will demand a robust begin. The Etihad has been a fortress in Europe, with Metropolis unbeaten of their final 21 Group Stage house matches.
Napoli, contemporary off their second Serie A title in three seasons, have opened the 2025-26 marketing campaign with three straight league victories over Cagliari, Sassuolo, and Fiorentina. New signing Kevin De Bruyne has hit the bottom operating with two objectives, whereas Rasmus Hojlund additionally opened his account within the 3-1 win over Fiorentina final weekend.
For Conte, that is his fifth membership within the Champions League after stints with Juventus, Chelsea, Inter, and Tottenham. The Partenopei misplaced simply three of their final 18 group Stage matches, however their document towards English sides is bleak — no wins in 12 away matches.
The large reveal: Why Lukaku is out
Halfway by means of Napoli’s preparations got here the information that shocked supporters: Romelu Lukaku will miss the complete league part of the Champions League. The Belgian striker suffered a high-grade tear to the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh throughout a pre-season pleasant towards Olympiacos on August 14. Though there have been fears he would require surgical procedure, Lukaku and the membership opted for conservative remedy following consultations with specialists in Belgium.
Romelu Lukaku of Napoli lies on the pitch after being injured through the pre-season pleasant match between Napoli and Olympiacos.
“The suggestions was optimistic — surgical procedure gained’t be needed,” the Serie A aspect confirmed in an announcement, however restoration will nonetheless take three to 4 months. This implies the 32-year-old star is just not anticipated to return earlier than November or December, probably even early 2026 if setbacks happen.
