MANCHESTER (UNITED KINGDOM) 18 SEPTEMBER 2025 – Napoli had a disappointing debut in the Champions League, beaten 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium by Manchester City.
The match got complicated for the Azzurri as early as the 21st minute, when captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was sent off for a foul. With his team reduced to ten men, coach Antonio Conte reshuffled the lineup, replacing De Bruyne with Olivera and, later, Politano with Juan Jesus, but the changes weren't enough to stop the European champions' momentum.
The home side took the lead in the 56th minute: Foden fed Haaland, who slotted the ball past Meret. Doku doubled the lead in the 65th minute, firing a precise shot into the bottom corner.
Despite the defeat, Napoli showed unity and character, especially in the first half, thanks in part to the decisive saves from Milinkovic-Savic, one of the best players on the pitch. For Manchester City, Jeremy Doku put in an excellent performance.
