“Apparently we are not” – Pep Guardiola aims subtle dig at critics ahead of Napoli clash | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has aimed a subtle dig at his side’s critics ahead of a UEFA Champions League opener clash with Napoli on Thursday.

City welcome Kevin De Bruyne and the rest of Antonio Conte’s men to the Etihad Stadium to kick off the 2025-26 European campaign, with Guardiola and co aiming to improve upon their Round of 16 finish in the competition last term.

Real Madrid inflicted a damaging 6-2 aggregate defeat over two legs on Manchester City in the Round of 16 last term, with City recording their worst finish in Europe since 2020 and enduring a sobering return to reality after years of competing at the highest level.

After years of failing to get over the line courtesy of lacklustre showings in the knockout stages against the likes of AS Monaco, Tottenham, Liverpool and Lyon, Manchester City put an end to their UEFA Champions League hoodoo by going all the way in 2023.

Rodri’s strike in a 1-0 final win over Inter Milan etched Manchester City’s name in the UEFA Champions League record-books, with City also seeing off RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the knockout stages en route to their premier title win.

However, the Blues have suffered successive knockouts at the hands of Real Madrid in each of the last two campaigns, with questions raised over whether City have the same pedigree in Europe that they possessed in their historic treble-winning season.

Speaking in a press conference on Wednesday ahead of City’s group-stage opener against Napoli, Guardiola was asked whether he considers his side as favourites to go all the way in this season’s UEFA Champions League.

“Apparently we are not,” said Guardiola in a sarcastic tone. “Just enjoy the moment, the journey. We are happy to be here.

“In the past we have been, and just won once (in 2023), so that is a lot for the difficulties. Just focus on tomorrow, the game we have to play, start well this competition.

“When you start with a bad result, always it’s more difficult and last season we drew the first game against Inter and hopefully this season we can get a better result.”

Guardiola and City will be vary of the threat posed by the returning Kevin De Bruyne, who was let go by the club at the end of his contract in June, with the Belgian joining Napoli on a free transfer and signing a two-year deal.

After returning to winning ways against Manchester United on Sunday, City can give themselves a huge boost with three points against Napoli – ahead of a monumental Premier League clash with title rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.