Napoli kick off their Champions League campaign with a tough road test against Manchester City. To make matters more difficult, manager Antonio Conte will be without Romelu Lukaku, who is sidelined with a long-term injury.
The Belgian forward suffered a left thigh rectus femoris injury during a preseason friendly against Olympiacos. According to team reports, the setback is expected to keep him out of action for three to four months, ruling him out of Napoli’s crucial early fixtures in Europe and Serie A.
“Following the injury suffered against Olympiacos, Romelu Lukaku underwent tests at Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a serious injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his left thigh,” Napoli said in a medical report released in late August after the striker went down during preseason.
Despite being without their star striker, Napoli have started the season in strong form, winning all of their matches in Serie A so far. Conte’s side will now look to carry that momentum into their Champions League debut against the English champions.
Romelu Lukaku of Napoli lies on the pitch after being injured against Olympiacos. (Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
A special match for several Napoli players
Napoli’s clash with Manchester City also carries added significance for a few of their stars. For Kevin De Bruyne, it marks an emotional return to the Etihad Stadium, where he spent 10 seasons, making 422 appearances, scoring 108 goals, providing 177 assists, and collecting 18 trophies — including a Champions League title, a Club World Cup, and six Premier League crowns.
In addition to De Bruyne, both Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund will experience a unique occasion given their past ties to Manchester United, City’s longtime rivals. McTominay, who joined Napoli in 2024, played a key role in the club’s Serie A title triumph, while Hojlund recently arrived on loan from the Red Devils.
