As Manchester City gear up for their UEFA Champions League opener against Napoli at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday, September 18, 2025, a storm of controversy has erupted. Italian football icon Paolo Di Canio, a former West Ham and Napoli star, has launched a scathing critique, branding Pep Guardiola’s side an “amateur team” when out of possession. His bold words, delivered with characteristic flair, have ignited anticipation for what promises to be a fiery clash in the expanded Champions League league phase. Di Canio sees a golden chance for Serie A champions Napoli to exploit City’s vulnerabilities and claim a seismic victory. “This is a great opportunity and we need to seize it immediately,” he declared, pointing to the disarray he perceives in City’s reshuffled defense.
Di Canio’s comments come at a critical juncture for Manchester City, who, despite a commanding 3-0 win over Manchester United in the recent Manchester derby, have shown cracks in their armor. Losses to Tottenham and Brighton earlier this season, where both opponents scored twice, exposed defensive frailties that Di Canio believes Napoli can target. “From what we’ve seen in the first few games, they’re in disarray at the back,” he said. “They’ve brought in a lot of new players, and when they lose the ball, they’re almost an amateur team.” The Italian’s critique hinges on City’s integration of summer signings like Rayan Ait-Nouri and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who kept a clean sheet on his debut against United. Yet, with youngsters like Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico O’Reilly filling in at right-back and left-back, respectively, alongside stalwarts Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, City’s backline remains a work in progress. “Before, anyone who went to play against City respected them, but now, even if City are up 3-0, everyone knows they can recover,” Di Canio added, suggesting a loss of the aura that once made City untouchable.
Napoli, under Antonio Conte, arrive in Manchester brimming with confidence. The Serie A titleholders have been flawless domestically, winning all three of their opening matches, including a 3-1 rout of Fiorentina, while conceding just one goal. Their attack, now spearheaded by former City star Kevin De Bruyne, who departed in the summer, poses a unique threat. De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad adds an emotional layer, as City winger Jeremy Doku acknowledged: “I think he will be happy to come home. At the end of the day, we’re not going to show mercy; we want to win every game.” Napoli’s squad, bolstered by heavy summer investment, includes Rasmus Hojlund and David Neres, making them a formidable force. Di Canio, while skeptical of Napoli’s ability to win the Champions League, believes they can advance deep in the competition: “I’d say Napoli doesn’t have the caliber to contend for the Champions League, but the path they’re on can certainly help.”
City’s Champions League campaign is under intense scrutiny, with a daunting fixture list ahead, including trips to AS Monaco and Villarreal, a home clash with Borussia Dortmund, and a December showdown against Real Madrid. Guardiola, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest managers, has emphasized the need to adapt quickly to the new league phase format, which offers little margin for error. Despite their 2023 Champions League triumph, City’s recent form—two wins and two losses in four Premier League games—has fueled doubts. Di Canio’s remarks have added fuel to the fire, potentially giving Napoli a psychological edge. City’s past encounters with Napoli, including 2-1 and 4-2 victories in 2017, suggest they can handle Italian opposition, but Conte’s revitalized side is a different beast.
As the Etihad prepares for a tense night, the spotlight is on whether City can silence their critics or if Napoli, as Di Canio urges, will “seize it immediately” and expose the Premier League giants’ vulnerabilities. With De Bruyne facing his former club and Conte’s tactical acumen pitted against Guardiola’s genius, this clash is poised to be a defining moment in City’s season.
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