Napoli ‘regret’ at Manchester City defeat, De Bruyne can learn from McTominay | OneFootball

Napoli director Giovanni Manna feels ‘regret’ at the way their Champions League opener went against Manchester City, but hails Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne.

The Serie A game with Pisa kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The match will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 and DAZN in the UK and Ireland. Fans in the USA can watch it on Paramount+.

Napoli balancing Serie A with Champions League

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Erling Haaland of Manchester City embraces Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and SSC Napoli at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

This is a big opportunity for the reigning Champions of Italy to go clear at the top of the table, as they can be the only side after four rounds with a 100 per cent record.

However, it comes days after the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, a game where they were down to 10 men for over an hour due to the Giovanni Di Lorenzo red card.

“We wanted to measure ourselves up against one of the best teams in the world and understand our level. There are regrets we didn’t really get a chance to do that, but this is the way the game went,” Manna told Sky Sport Italia.

“I saw a strong reaction from the team against a side of great quality that scored two excellent goals, because you pay for mistakes at that level.”

SASSUOLO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli and teammate Scott McTominay pose for a photo at full-time following their victory in the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The Ballon d’Or ceremony is on in Paris this evening, but McTominay could not attend due to this match.

He was nominated for the first time and secured a creditable 18th-place finish, the highest of any Serie A representative this season.

“It is undoubted that McTominay is one of the heroes for the fans, so he dived head-first into this project and everyone loves him. He earned that respect with his performances and attitude.

“Kevin is a great champion, he just arrived and has a very positive approach, so we hope he too can do what Scott did and earn that love.”

NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Lorenzo Lucca of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

There is some squad rotation this evening against Pisa, but Lorenzo Lucca seems to have been shoved to the bench by the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund, even after the Romelu Lukaku injury.

“Lorenzo was signed to work along with Romelu and grow in his shadow. He was always going to need time, as it is a big step from Udinese to this Napoli, especially as he is a player who arrived quite late in his career to Serie A,” explained Manna.

“He has the characteristics we were looking for, Rasmus is here now, but we must give players the time to adapt at their own pace, and understand what the coach wants.

“There should be no anxiety, we remain positive.”