3 Lessons Napoli can learn from Manchester derby ahead of Manchester City clash

SASSUOLO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of Napoli, shouts instructions during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Napoli will no doubt have been studying the Manchester derby intensely, or at the very least will watch over the match in the coming days ahead of their Champions opener against Manchester City on Thursday.

Antonio Conte’s side will be looking to do what Manchester United could not and win at the Etihad Stadium.

The Red Devils were brushed aside 3-0 by Pep Guardiola’s team today, with goals from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland sealing the three points; Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma keeping a clean sheet on his debut.

However, despite the scoreline, City did not look overly convincing and managed to take advantage of their rivals on the counter-attack to seal the convincing result.

So, what can Napoli learn from today’s game as they prepare to take on the English giants later this week?

Manchester City’s overwhelming dominance is over

If it was not evident from the club’s third-place finish last season, their lowest finish since 2016-17, the Manchester City of today is a different beast to the one that won six titles in seven seasons between 2017-18 and 2023-24.

That City was full of elite players in the prime of their career, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Sergio Aguero creating many happy memories for City fans in that era.

Now, City are hardly weak. They still have some of the best players in the world, like prolific number nine Erling Haaland who scored twice today for the club.

However, City no longer seem like an untouchable Goliath and instead look slightly more of a manageable challenge to overcome.

Guardiola’s side have already lost twice this season, against Brighton and Spurs. Even today, the team looked uncomfortable for periods of the game against a much weaker United side who are still struggling to find momentum themselves.

United had some good chances but ultimately their finishing let them down and allowed Donnarumma to steal a debut clean sheet.

If Napoli can arrive in Manchester, play their own game on their terms and take advantage of periods where City switch off, there is nothing stopping them from returning home to Naples with at least a point.

Guardiola’s City look most dangerous on the counter – Could Napoli give them taste of their own medicine?

Whereas in the past, City’s ability to win games would stem from their ability to overwhelm their opposition and keep possession for large chunks of the game, the attitude appears to have shifted.

Manchester United finished the game with the most possession and while this is partly a result of the game-state in which the Red Devils dominated the second half as City sat back, it is not something we would see often from Guardiola in the past decade.

However, City were dangerous because they were not relying on keeping possession and instead looked to exploit United with fast counter-attacks.

Especially once the Cityzens took their lead in the 18th minute through Phil Foden, Guardiola’s side defended more and allowed their opposition to creep up the pitch.

With wingers such as Jeremy Doku, who was in fine form today with two assists, City have players capable of breaking at significant speed.

Napoli will need to be wary when committing men forward and may find more fortune in allowing City to have more of the ball and giving them a taste of their own medicine.

Especially with Rasmus Hojlund in the Napoli attack, who is proficient at making runs in behind and latching on to through balls. The Dane has the pace too, as well as the experience of having already played against City in the past.

Lack of depth could hurt City & Napoli have extra day to prepare

Manchester City already have a small roster of important players who are unavailable through injury.

John Stones and Mateo Kovacic are still carrying minor injuries and are expected back soon. Stones may be available for Thursday’s game but Kovacic is not expected back until October.

Meanwhile, summer signings Rayan Ait Nouri and Rayan Cherki are also not expected back until the end of October.

Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush is struggling with a knee injury and is due back in the next few weeks.

City’s bench of nine players today was not terrible but lacks any real firepower to support the side in case of tired legs.

Today, Guardiola chose to bring on Nico Gonzalez, Savinho, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake, all of whom are talented players but rarely the ones to turn a game on its head.

James Trafford, Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis, Stephen Mfuni and Divine Mukasa were unused subs today but again do not inspire confidence if City are chasing a game.

Napoli will also have a precious extra day to recover and prepare for Thursday’s match, having won yesterday 3-1 against Fiorentina.

City will come straight off the back of a Manchester derby when they welcome Conte’s side to England and Napoli could use their fitness advantage to swing the balance in their favour.