European Cups

Champions League: Napoli returns from Manchester defeated but not overwhelmed – Football style

Published

1 month ago

09/19/2025

Staff

The European journey of Napoli under Antonio Conte starts with a defeat. The blues fall on the field of reigning champions Manchester City, in a match marked by the expulsion of Giovanni Di Lorenzo after just twenty minutes. An incident that changed the destiny of the game, turning an already difficult encounter into a real mountain to climb.

Manchester City – Napoli: match report

For about 20 minutes, Napoli had held their ground well, managing to contain the ball possession of Pep Guardiola’s team and create some interesting opportunities. But the straight red card to Di Lorenzo forced the blues to play with ten men for over an hour, with inevitable repercussions on the physical and tactical level.

The first half ended in a 0-0 draw, but in the second half, the English team increased the pace, scoring two goals from great individual plays. First, Phil Foden, with a dribble in tight spaces, provided the assist for Erling Haaland’s winning header, then Jérémy Doku, with an impressive speed run, sealed the victory by beating the Azzurri defense.

A 2-0 defeat that leaves a bitter taste, but does not result in a debacle thanks to the generosity and compactness of Napoli.

Antonio Conte’s words

At the end of the game, Conte preferred to focus on the positive aspects:

“In Manchester, you can lose even with eleven against eleven. With ten, I saw a team capable of holding on with great dedication. We can take pride in the first 20 minutes, when we showed that we could trouble City. We avoided an embarrassment because conceding two goals is different from conceding five or six.”

The coach emphasized the sacrifice of his players, who had to run aimlessly for a good part of the match, but never gave up.

De Bruyne’s substitution and tactical choices

The substitution of Kevin De Bruyne sparked debate, sacrificed after Di Lorenzo’s expulsion to allow Conte to bring in Mathias Olivera and reshape the defense.

“I was sorry to take off De Bruyne, but I had no alternatives. The boy understood: he is a serious professional. With ten men, I couldn’t afford to do without Hojlund up front, while wingers like Politano and McTominay were crucial in defense. Anguissa was also indispensable athletically.”

Conte defended his decision, justifying it as inevitable given the need to withstand City’s offensive pressure.

Napoli, a defeat that does not diminish

The loss in Manchester was foreseeable, but it does not jeopardize Napoli’s European path. In fact, for Conte, this match represents a point of growth.

Napoli, indeed, showed personality in the first 20 minutes and even with numerical disadvantage demonstrated sacrifice and against one of the strongest teams in Europe, limited the damage avoiding a rout.

The blues leave the Etihad Stadium with a defeat, but also with the awareness that they can face the upcoming Champions matches with more confidence.

(Photo: DepositPhotos)

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European Cups

The team needed confidence

Published

3 hours ago

10/22/2025

Staff

The match of the 3rd day of the Champions League PSV-Napoli ended 6-2, a resounding defeat for the Azzurri, overwhelmed by the Dutch in the 2nd half.

The match of the 3rd day of the Champions League PSV-Napoli ended 6-2, a resounding defeat for the Azzurri who were overwhelmed in the second half after an initial lead by McTominay. A really bad night for the team of Antonio Conte.

PSV-Napoli ends 6-2, Azzurri overwhelmed in Eindhoven

PSV-Napoli 6-2, Azzurri shipwreck in Eindhoven: initial lead by McTominay, then Dutch avalanche

The challenge of the 3rd day of the Champions League group stage PSV-Napoli ends 6-2, a resounding defeat for the team of Antonio Conte, who took the lead but then suffered the Dutch avalanche, which overwhelmed them. A really bad night in Eindhoven, with much to reflect on.

First initiative of Napoli, in the 2nd minute with Lucca, but the shot goes wide. Then it’s De Bruyne‘s turn, but the Dutch defense saves. Then PSV tries with Man, Milinkovic is ready. Again Man in the 19th minute tries to worry the Azzurri goalkeeper, who saves. At the 28th minute, Spinazzola tries for Napoli, a shot that just misses the target. But at the 31st minute Napoli takes the lead: Spinazzola crosses from the left and McTominay heads in to beat Kovar, 1-0 for Conte’s team. After 4 minutes, PSV equalizes: on a PSV action, Buongiorno tries to anticipate Til but his intervention beats Milinkovc-Savic, back to level. Then, at the 39th minute, the Dutch take the lead: Saibari heads towards the Azzurri area, and with a shot beats Milinkovic-Savic, the 2-1 scoreline going into halftime.

The second half starts with Napoli being dangerous with Lucca and Anguissa, but in the 54th minute, PSV scores again: Mauro Junior crosses for Man, who deflects it in to beat Milinkovic-Savic, making it 3-1. However, PSV doesn’t stop, Napoli’s defense does what it can against the Dutch attack, and in the 76th minute Lucca is also sent off. In the 80th minute, the fourth goal for PSV: Man scores again, with an unstoppable shot for Milinkovic-Savic. Then, in the 86th minute, Napoli reduces the gap with McTominay, the only one who shines on this bad night, with a precise header into the net. But PSV closes the deal in the 86th and 87th minute, with Pepi and Driouech. Then the final whistle that ends the hostilities with a 6-2 victory for the Dutch.

The man of the match is undoubtedly Man, with a personal brace and a great game overall, like the entire PSV attack that literally overwhelmed Napoli at the Philips Stadium tonight.

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European Cups

Napoli, Conte: “We have little to say and much to work on, it will take a lot of effort this year.”

Published

7 hours ago

10/22/2025

Staff

Napoli Manager Antonio Conte spoke tonight in a press conference at the end of the match for 6-2 against PSV at the Philips Stadium. Napoli Manager Antonio Conte spoke tonight in a press conference at the end of the match for 6-2 against PSV at the Philips Stadium. Tra […]

The post Napoli, Conte: “Abbiamo poco da dire e tanto da lavorare, ci vorrà tanta fatica quest’anno.” first appeared on Calcio style.

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European Cups

Chelsea-Ajax probable line-ups and where to watch it

Published

11 hours ago

10/21/2025

Staff

After the matches of the various national championships are archived, the Champions League returns with an interesting Bayern Munich-Club Brugge.

Bavarians in great form with 11 wins in as many games. Mister Kompany leaning towards confirming the offensive duo Jackson-Kane. On the other side, Brugge relies heavily on the creativity of the Italo-German Tresoldi.

Vincent Kompany manager of Bayern Munich arrives during the UEFA Champions League League Stage match Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich at Villa Park, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 2nd October 2024
(Photo by Gareth Evans/News Images)

Bayern Munich Here

The Bayern Munich is a powerhouse. An incredible start to the season for the German team, with 11 wins in as many games. In front of 75,000 fans at the Fußball Arena München, for a match valid for the third day of the UEFA Champions League, come the Belgians of Club Brugge.

The Bavarians can count on an attacking department with 40 goals scored so far. Top player of the season start Harry Kane, scoring in the last 9 matches between league and National team. Absent from the match for the Bavarians are Davies, Ito, Musiala, and Stanisic.

However, as the main striker, Nicolas Jackson should play instead of Kane (likely to drop back behind the former Chelsea player). While on the wings, Olise and Luis Diaz should find space. In midfield, Kimmich is a sure starter, while the other midfield spot is a toss-up between Aleksandar Pavlovic (favored) and Goretzka. In defense, in front of Manuel Neuer, there should be Upamecano and Tah as center-backs and Boey and Laimer as full-backs.

Club Brugge Here

On the other hand, the Belgians’ journey cannot be said to be excellent. In fact, the team coached by Mister Hayen in the first two Champions League matches stands out for the overwhelming 4-1 victory against Monaco, but also for the defeat from a winning position against Atalanta of Ivan Juric.

The Belgian team will still try to pull off a surprise, relying mainly on their center-forward Nicolò Tresoldi. On the sides of the 2004 class player, the wingers Forbs and Tzolis should play, while in midfield, the playmaker role should be entrusted to Vanaken.

In the crucial area, coach Hayen should field Alexander Stankovic, son of Dejan, and Cisse Sandra. In defense, the center-backs should be Ordonez and Mechele, supported by the full-backs Sabbe and Seys. In goal, due to the absence of Mignolet through injury, Jackers is confirmed.

Bayern Munich-Club Brugge: probable lineups

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Boey, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Kane, Diaz; N. Jackson. Coach: Kompany.

Club Brugge (4-3-3): Jackers; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, Seys; Sandra, A. Stankovic, Vanaken; Forbs, Tresoldi, Tzolis. Coach: Hayen.

Bayern Munich-Club Brugge: where to watch

Bayern Munich-Club Brugge will take place on Wednesday, October 22 at 9:00 PM. The match between the Germans and the Belgians can be watched live on Sky Sport.

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