Guardiola excited by De Bruyne's Etihad return with Napoli | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says he and City are looking forward to welcoming the ‘unique’ Kevin De Bruyne back to the Etihad for the opening game of this season’s UEFA Champions League campaign.

City open our 2025/26 League Phase of Champions League fixtures with a mouth-watering Thursday night assignment at home to reigning Italian champions Napoli.

It’s a clash that will also feature an emotionally charged return to the Etihad of former City legend De Bruyne who moved to the Italian club this summer after a glorious 10 years in Manchester.

In that time the Belgian playmaker made more than 400 appearances and helped Guardiola’s squad win 19 major trophies across an unforgettable decade that cemented his status as one of the finest players ever to represent the Club.

Earlier this year, Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarark revealed that the Club had commissioned a statue to be made in honour of De Bruyne that would be situated outside the Etihad.

The Belgian has made a superb start to life in Naples, scoring two goals in three games to help Antonio Conte’s side sit top of the Serie A table.

For his part, as he addressed the media at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, Guardiola said he was very much looking forward to welcoming KDB back to the Etihad.

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“Of course it’s nice for him to come back. [I’m excited] to see him after the game,” said the City boss.

“Not surprised [on his start in Italy]. He plays at that level, absolutely quick - the players at that level don’t need to adapt.

“[What does he give to Napoli?] His incredible talent, vision, pass, assists and goals in the final third.

“He’s unique.”

City are embarking on the second season of the new-look format of the Champions League which features an initial eight game programme for all 36 teams before the top 24 sides progress to the knockout stages.

The Blues suffered a frustrating time of it in Europe last term, eventually going out to the Real Madrid in a two legged play-off to reach the knockout stages.

And for his part, the boss stressed the importance of making a positive start tomorrow.

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“We have to start well this competition,” Guardiola stressed.

“There are more games than previous seasons but if you start with a bad result, it's always more difficult. We drew last season v Inter, hopefully we can get a better result.

“Just enjoy the moment, the journey, we are happy to be here and just focus on the game tomorrow, the game we have to play.

“The priority is the next game, always it has been since I arrived here.

“As a manager you don’t choose the competitions, next game we go to Huddersfield and that’s the most important one.

“The history of this organisation is that we take every game seriously.”