A hoodoo to break across the English Channel

After a sabbatical year without European competitions, Napoli returns to the international stage through the main door: that of the Champions League, with the fourth Scudetto in its history and a profoundly renewed squad. The debut, however, will be immediately uphill. The 'Azzurri' will fly to England to pursue a feat that has never been achieved before: winning across the English Channel.

In fact, England has never been friendly territory for Napoli. In twelve matches played so far, the Azzurri have never celebrated a victory. Two years after their last defeat against Liverpool, Napoli will try to break the myth at Manchester's Etihad Stadium, where they will face a Manchester City that is still fearsome, although not at its best.

The first two matches date back to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, between 1967 and 1968: in the round of 16 against Burnley, Napoli lost 3-0, in the round of 32 against Leeds 2-0. The next match in England was played 42 years later, in 2010, with a 3-1 defeat against Arsenal in the Europa League. Since then, two more matches in the Europa League and seven in the Champions League have led to an overall record of nine defeats and three draws.

The only points won in England have been the result of memorable goals: Kolarov and Cavani in the 1-1 draw against City in 2011, Lovren and Mertens in the 1-1 draw at Anfield in 2019, and Osimhen (brace) in the 2-2 draw against Leicester.

On Thursday evening, in Manchester, Antonio Conte will field a revamped Napoli, ready to challenge City with an extra weapon: Kevin De Bruyne, who joined the Azzurri this summer after making history with the Citizens, ready to reveal Guardiola's keys and help the Azzurri pursue their first historic success in England.

Napoli's 12 matches in England

Burnley-Napoli 3-0, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1968 (Round of 16)

Leeds United-Napoli 2-0, Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1967 (Round of 32)

Liverpool-Napoli 3-1, Europa League 2010 (Groups)

Manchester City-Napoli 1-1, Champions League 2011 (Groups)

Chelsea-Napoli 4-1, Champions League 2012 (Round of 16)

Arsenal-Napoli 2-0, Champions League 2013 (Groups)

Manchester City-Napoli 2-1, Champions League 2017 (Groups)

Liverpool-Napoli 1-0, Champions League 2018 (Groups)

Arsenal-Napoli 2-0, Europa League 2019 (Quarter-finals)

Liverpool-Napoli 1-1, Champions League 2019 (Groups)

Leicester-Napoli 2-2, Europa League 2021 (Groups)

Liverpool-Napoli 2-0, Champions League 2022 (Groups)