Man City eagerly anticipates reuniting with De Bruyne

Man City's sporting director, Hugo Viana, shared his enthusiasm as the team prepares to meet Kevin De Bruyne again in the Champions League group stage, with Man City matched against Napoli.

Manchester City will get the chance to reunite with Kevin De Bruyne when they are drawn to play against Napoli in the group stage of the Champions League this season. The Etihad Stadium side’s opponents include eight teams they will compete against, alongside big names like Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen. This match marks De Bruyne’s first return to Etihad since leaving Man City to join Napoli last summer.

During his 10-year tenure at Man City, De Bruyne scored 72 goals in 288 Premier League appearances and ranks second in all-time assists in the league, only behind Ryan Giggs. Despite winning six Premier League titles and playing a key role in Man City's historic Champions League triumph in 2023, De Bruyne chose to transfer to Napoli this summer.

Commenting on this special reunion, Man City’s football director, Hugo Viana, expressed his excitement: “It’s wonderful to see Kevin De Bruyne, our legend, back at home. This is a very special moment and will be exciting for everyone.” Viana believes that both Pep Guardiola and the Man City players are eagerly looking forward to this match, especially since De Bruyne spent a decade with the club and left a lasting impact at Etihad.

On the logistical side, Viana also emphasized that playing at the Etihad home ground will be a significant advantage, saving travel time, which is crucial as the season intensifies. “Every team wants to compete in the Champions League, and not having to travel far during such a long season is definitely a positive,” Viana added.

De Bruyne quickly adapted to Serie A and made an immediate impact from the first matches, notably with a beautiful free kick goal against Sassuolo in the Serie A opener. Under coach Antonio Conte’s guidance, he has become a key player for Napoli and is expected to bring strength to his new team.

The Champions League match against Napoli will be a special encounter not only for Man City but also for fans witnessing De Bruyne’s return to Etihad, where he created many glorious moments. Expectations for this reunion are high, and Man City will surely prepare thoroughly to face a determined Napoli and a De Bruyne eager to prove himself.

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