Man City XI vs Napoli: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Champions League

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Evening Standard

·17 September 2025

Man City XI vs Napoli: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Champions League

Pep Guardiola facing big selection call for the Champions League opener at the Etihad

Pep Guardiola faces a huge decision over his Manchester City team to face Napoli in their Champions League opener.

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Man City begin the league phase of the competition at home to the reigning Serie A champions, but Guardiola may have one eye on Sunday’s Premier League showdown away at Arsenal.

With such a short turnaround, the Spaniard could opt to freshen things up where necessary.

That said, summer signing Gianluigi Donnarumma should keep his place in goal after an impressive debut in the Manchester derby at the weekend, making a stunning save to deny Bryan Mbeumo at 2-0.

Man City paid £26million to sign Donnarumma on transfer Deadline Day and the Italian’s experience in the competition - having lifted the trophy with Paris Saint-Germain last season - should give him the nod over James Trafford.

The back four could change with Josko Gvardiol possibly being rested after playing his first 90 minutes of the season against Manchester United.

Nathan Ake is an option to partner Ruben Dias in central defence or Abdukodir Khusanov could move inside to allow one of Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes to come in at right-back.

Nico Gonzalez could give Rodri a breather at the base of City’s midfield, but Phil Foden looks set to continue centrally after a promising performance in the win over Man United.

Up front, Erling Haaland is a guaranteed starter after netting SEVEN goals for club and country last week. Jeremy Doku impressed against Man Utd so should continue on the left in the absence of the injured Omar Marmoush.

Predicted Man City XI: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Ake, O’Reilly; Nico, Reijnders; Silva, Foden, Doku; Haaland

Injured: Marmoush, Cherki, Kovacic

Doubts: Stones, Ait-Nouri

Ineligible: Phillips

Time and date: 8pm BST on Thursday, September 18, 2025

Venue: Etihad Stadium