Manna: ‘De Bruyne ambition at Napoli, Hojlund positive spirit’

Both teams use unchanged line-ups from the weekend, so there is zero squad rotation from either side, including Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in goal. Is this also because of his ability to play out from the back?

“We have two excellent goalkeepers, Vanja has specific characteristics and did well in Florence, so we hope to do well tonight too,” Manna told Sky Sport Italia.

Another return to Manchester tonight is from striker Hojlund, who made the move from Manchester United after the Romelu Lukaku injury, and already scored on his Napoli debut against Fiorentina.

“Hojlund settled in very quickly, it is a strong squad, he already knows Italy even if he was young, and Manchester United’s results last season were tough for everyone. He arrived with a positive spirit, and we believe he can have a good impact.”

The focus will all be on De Bruyne, who faces his former teammates just months after leaving Manchester City as a free agent.

Manna was asked how tough it was for Napoli to sign De Bruyne, considering Chicago Fire and MLS had been very interested.

“We were always pretty confident, as when we met him, he told us that he felt ambitious, wanted to compete at an international level,” replied the director.

“It was a great opportunity that we took, it is curious for him to make his Champions League here in what was his home for many years, where he had glorious success.

“This is certainly not the game that will dictate the quality of the player, that is well known already, and we are happy to have him with us.”