Napoli vs. Manchester City preview

CAIRO – 1 November 2017: Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will play a match against Napoli in the fourth round on Wednesday to decide if they qualify to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League in Italy.

Manchester City leads group F with nine points, followed by Shakhtar Donetsk with six points, while Napoli is placed third with three points.

What the Citizens need is to be undefeated. That would ensure their pass to the next round, while the Italians need points more urgently to continue in the race for second place in the group.

"Why are we going to play to tie if we can do it to win?" Guardiola spoke with clarity. He confirmed in the press conference the ambition with which his team will face the Italians.

The confrontation between the two teams clearly shows that both teams have an offensive mentality. Pep Guardiola showed seriousness in the match of the first round about Napoli, saying, "It is probably the best team I have ever faced. They demand a lot to win.”

Despite beating the Italians 2-1 two weeks ago, the Spanish coach again warned of the danger of Napoli. "We face the leader of Serie A, and everyone knows how this team plays at home, so it will be very complicated," he said.

Manchester City lacks the presence of Benjamin Mendy in the left-back, as well as Vincent Kompany. Neither of them have a confirmed return date.

Napoli does not have outstanding absent players either, only Arkadiuz Milik. Napoli`s striker will not be on the squad announced by Maurizio Sarri, Napoli`s coach, who praised the Citizens of Guardiola.

"Manchester City is the best team in Europe, led by the best coach in Europe. Guardiola has a brilliant team philosophy," said Maurizio Sarri.

The challenge of the “Azzurri” will be breaking the excellent run of the Citizens, who have accumulated 13 consecutive victories in all and 21 matches undefeated.
Undoubtedly, people are about to watch a match between two of the best teams nowadays and also two of the best coaches.