Manchester City to make home kit alteration against Napoli to avoid colour clash | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side appear set to make a change to their traditional home kit colours to avoid a clash with their opponents Napoli at the Etihad Stadium.

While City’s sky blue shirt has been a fixture at home, kit regulations often force clubs into rare alterations when colour overlaps risk confusing match officials, broadcasters, and supporters.

The UEFA Champions League has seen Manchester City adopt different kit combinations before, though a change to the home strip inside the Etihad Stadium is far from common.

The situation has come into focus this week with Napoli’s arrival, as Antonio Conte’s team travel with their all-white away strip – a colour-way that bears significant similarities to part of Manchester City’s traditional home design.

With decision makers keen to maintain absolute clarity for both players and spectators inside the arena, the decision has been made to adjust Pep Guardiola’s side’s usual kit pairing for the clash.

As noticed in Manchester City Under-19’s clash with Napoli Under-19 in the UEFA Youth League earlier on Thursday, the Academy side paired their traditional sky blue shirt and socks with a dark blue set of shorts.

That is due to Napoli arriving in Manchester wearing their all white away strip, which would have seen their white shorts clash with the exact same colour of City’s home kit shorts at the Etihad Stadium.

With that precedent now in place, Pep Guardiola’s senior side are expected to mirror the youth team’s approach when they line up at the Etihad Stadium, ensuring there is a clear contrast between both teams across all parts of the kit.

The change also underlines UEFA’s strict oversight and the small but significant details that shape European nights. With Guardiola’s men chasing another deep run in the Champions League, even something as minor as a kit tweak forms part of the meticulous environment.

It would not be surprising if similar adjustments are seen later in the campaign, particularly if they meet clubs with white shorts in away colours. For now, though, all eyes are on how this unique Etihad look coincides with what promises to be another dramatic night of action.