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Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne returns to the club four months after leaving hoping to beat them with Napoli
Antonio Conte has spoken to Kevin De Bruyne for the inside track on Manchester City ahead of their Champions League match with Napoli. De Bruyne left the Blues in summer after 10 years at the club but has an early opportunity to prove to his former employers that he can still cut it at the top level.
Conte, who had spells in England with Chelsea and Spurs and boasts a Premier League title with the former, played down Napoli's chances ahead of the game by referring to the Italian champions as the students to City's teachers. However, there is more confidence in Naples knowing that they have a maestro in De Bruyne in their team.
"To be honest it's always been very careful preparation like it has been for every single match. We're not doing anything particularly different," Conte said. "I've spoken to Kevin, I've asked him a few things, he's been a part of this club for 10 years and had a great coach like Pep Guardiola.
"Kevin will be excited to be playing but I'm hoping that after the starting whistle he will find his feet and remember that he's playing for our great Napoli and contribute like he has been doing."
Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo has been impressed by the impact De Bruyne has already had since arriving at the club and anticipates a strong show of support from the home team for their former hero.
"Since the first day he got to us he arrived with great humility, he's a great champion," Di Lorenzo said: "He didn't really talk about his ex-teammates but I'm sure he will be happy to play tomorrow, to come back in this stadium where he has enjoyed many matches.
"I know that they will welcome him back and be pleased to see him. He deserves it and I hope he will have a great match."
Napoli surprised many by claiming the Italian title last year but will go into Thursday's match as underdogs. They have talent that can surprise their hosts, but Conte was keen to talk up City's might as the Italians look to cause another upset.
"Coming to Manchester in the most important European competition is definitely a reason to be proud, satisfied and especially having won Serie A last year," he said. "We're definitely playing against a team where history speaks for itself. In the last couple of years they've been the only protagonist.
"They are a top club with a top coach. We arrive with great humility having had an amazing year last year and are proud to have that.
"We consider ourselves to be almost like students coming to play against the teachers. I don't think that's incorrect to say. From our part, there's definitely a desire to understand and to play against these very powerful and very important clubs to see how we're progressing."
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