Pep Guardiola is managing expectations for Manchester City in the Champions League. He wants to see improvement following a trophyless season. The team faces Napoli, marking Kevin De Bruyne’s return. Guardiola acknowledged De Bruyne’s quality and highlighted the threat of Scott McTominay and Antonio Conte.
Pep Guardiola has tempered expectations surrounding Manchester City's chances in the Champions League this season, urging his team to demonstrate significant improvement as they embark on their European journey. The Cityzens are set to face Serie A champions Napoli in their opening group stage match, a game that marks Kevin De Bruyne's return to the Etihad Stadium after his summer transfer.
Following a rare trophyless season in 2024-25, Guardiola oversaw a squad overhaul in the summer transfer window, aiming to revitalize the team's competitiveness on all fronts. However, City's Champions League form last season raised concerns, as they narrowly advanced from the group stage, finishing a disappointing 22nd overall. Their journey was cut short in the knockout play-offs by Real Madrid, compounded by defeats against Sporting CP and Juventus.
Despite their triumph in the competition in 2023, Manchester City are not widely considered among the favorites this year. According to Opta's supercomputer, they have a 9% probability of winning the title, trailing behind Paris Saint-Germain (11%), Arsenal (18%), and Liverpool (20%). Guardiola, however, is focused on surpassing their performance from the previous season, where they drew their opening game against Inter Milan.
"Apparently we are not [contenders]," Guardiola told reporters. "Just enjoy the moment, we are happy to be here after the path we have been [on] so we are just focusing on tomorrow and the game we have to play and starting well in this competition. We have more games than in previous seasons, but if you start with a bad result it can be difficult. Last season we drew the first game against Inter, and hopefully we can do better."
The match against Napoli also presents an emotional reunion for Guardiola and De Bruyne, with the Belgian midfielder returning to Manchester for the first time since his move to Italy. De Bruyne enjoyed a stellar 10-year career at City, making 422 appearances, scoring 108 goals, and providing 170 assists. He also played a crucial role in the club's success in the Champions League, registering 25 assists, the most by any City player in the competition.
Guardiola acknowledged De Bruyne's enduring quality and the threat he poses to his former team. He also highlighted the capabilities of Scott McTominay and the tactical expertise of Napoli's manager, Antonio Conte. Guardiola's head-to-head record against Conte stands at three wins and four losses across all competitions. Conte is one of only three managers, along with Jurgen Klopp and Luis Enrique, who have a superior win record against Guardiola, with a minimum of two wins.
McTominay, meanwhile, earned the Serie A MVP award in his debut season, contributing 12 goals and four assists in 34 league appearances.
“[I am looking forward to seeing him] after the game,” Guardiola said of his reunion with De Bruyne. “Of course it’s nice to have him back. The players in that level [Serie A] adapt so quickly and they don’t need that much time to adapt. [He adds] his incredible talent, assists, passing and goals in the final third and he is unique.”
“Of course, he [Conte] can do good things because he is a top-class manager. Whatever [club] has his stamp on it, it is no surprise to me [that it will succeed].”
On McTominay, Guardiola added: “No [I’m not surprised], he has excellent conditions [in Naples]. It was a team that won Serie A and when you win it means every player is always performing to his maximum level.”