Di Lorenzo: City clash key to gauge Napoli’s Champions League level | OneFootball

On the eve of their return to the Champions League, Giovanni Di Lorenzo wanted to convey confidence and awareness. The Napoli captain, interviewed by Sky Sport, spoke about the prestigious European fixture that will see the Azzurri face Manchester City.

The duel with Haaland and the challenge against Guardiola’s powerhouse

“We missed the Champions League, and we’re happy to be back playing it,” said Di Lorenzo. “City are incredibly strong, but this match will also help us measure our level.” A statement that perfectly sums up the anticipation and energy with which Antonio Conte’s team is preparing to face the most difficult challenge of the group stage. The spotlight will inevitably also be on the duel with Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker remains the number one threat, and the captain did not hide it: “We know how devastating he is; we’ll need a top-level defensive performance to contain him. But we’ll also have to be good in attack, trying to exploit the few weaknesses they have.”

The clash against City will not only be a technical obstacle, but a real test of maturity for Napoli. After a positive start in the league, the Champions League represents a showcase in which the Italian champions want to prove they can compete with Europe’s elite. The Etihad Stadium is getting ready to host one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage. For the Azzurri, it will be an opportunity to test their ambitions and measure the growth of a group that, after bringing the Scudetto back to Naples, dreams of writing new chapters of history in Europe as well.

Andrea Alati

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