Napoli’s chance: Guardiola’s City shaky at the back in Europe | OneFootball

On Thursday, Antonio Conte's Napoli will make their Champions League debut against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. An opponent that, on paper, remains one of the most formidable in Europe, but today shows cracks and uncertainties.

Napoli's Euro Rivals, the opportunity is served: Guardiola's City is a work in progress and continues to struggle in defense

The English champions, coming off a summer of profound changes, indeed seem a distant relative of the dominant team admired until 2024.

A stumbling start for Guardiola

In the first three Premier League matches, City has collected just three points, resulting from two heavy defeats against Tottenham and Brighton. Unmistakable signs of a team that has not yet assimilated the new mechanisms and struggles to regain the identity consolidated during Guardiola's years.

The return of Kevin De Bruyne will be celebrated by the English public, but it remains to be seen if his presence on the field will be enough to restore confidence to a group in an evident phase of transition.

Defensive frailties: an unresolved problem

The defensive phase represents the Achilles' heel of this City. Ruben Dias and John Stones suffer enormously from the opponents' rapid transitions, conceding spaces that can become lethal in the Champions League. An organized Napoli, capable of closing ranks compactly and counterattacking with immediate vertical plays, could exploit this very flaw.

The return of Rodri, recovering from a long injury, is an encouraging sign, but the Spaniard is not yet at the levels that earned him the Ballon d'Or. Phil Foden also deals with aches that limit his consistency, while two of the most anticipated summer reinforcements, Doku and Savinho, still need to demonstrate incisiveness in front of the goal.

Cherki and Marmoush out, Grealish regretted

City will have to do without Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush, both sidelined due to injury. A situation that further complicates the offensive rotations. In the background remains the doubt linked to the summer decision to loan Jack Grealish: at Everton, the former Etihad idol has been reborn, collecting four assists in two matches and winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

In goal, Donnarumma ready to launch

The young James Trafford, who made a costly mistake against Tottenham, nevertheless shone with decisive saves, like the spectacular one against Van Hecke against Brighton. But now he seems destined to make way for Gianluigi Donnarumma, ready for his European debut in City's jersey.

Napoli, the chance to strike

With significant absences, tactical balances still to be found, and recurring defensive lapses, City appears vulnerable. If Napoli can combine compactness and ruthlessness, they can truly turn the European debut into a prestigious coup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.