Why is Man City vs Napoli on a Thursday? Strange Champions League fixtures explained

The Champions League group stage is back this week, with Manchester City in action on Thursday night.

Manchester City will return to the Champions League this week(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Champions League is finally back, with Premier League teams participating across Europe. However, fans of Manchester City might be puzzled as to why their opening match isn't held in the usual Tuesday and Wednesday evening slots, but is instead scheduled for Thursday.

Typically, Thursday nights are reserved for Europa League fixtures for the dedicated football enthusiast, but a new European format introduced last season means that some games will now be slated for this day. This implies that no other UEFA competition matches - including those from the Europa and Conference Leagues - will be scheduled.

There is only one exclusive Champions League week per season, and matchday one has been chosen for this campaign, spread over September 16, 17 and 18. Thus, City supporters can breathe easy knowing their Thursday evenings will be free for the remainder of the league phase.

Pep Guardiola's team will face Napoli at the Etihad Stadium, while the Spaniard's former side Barcelona are also scheduled to take on Newcastle on the same evening. Both matches will commence at 8pm, and can be viewed on TNT Sports.

Other Champions League fixtures taking place on Thursday include; Club Brugge vs Monaco, FC Copenhagen vs Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray and Sporting vs Kairat Almaty.

The return of Kevin De Bruyne to the Etihad, as part of Napoli's squad, is a particularly thrilling prospect for Manchester City fans. The midfield wizard left Manchester in the summer for a move to the Italian champions and has already netted twice in his first three Serie A matches.

Other former Premier League stars such as Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund - both previously of Manchester United - are also set to face City, aiming to give Guardiola a headache or two.

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe could be without two of his key summer signings when he faces European heavyweights Barcelona. New striker Yoane Wissa, who joined Newcastle in a £55million deal from Brentford, is yet to make his debut for the Magpies and will have to wait a bit longer to don the black-and-white strip.

Wissa was injured while on international duty with DR Congo and is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks, meaning Barcelona will instead have to deal with the formidable Nick Woltemade.

Jacob Ramsey is also likely to miss the Champions League opener, having suffered an ankle injury in the goalless draw with Leeds United at the end of August. He's expected to be out for a few more weeks, but the silver lining is that Anthony Gordon is ready and eager to fill his boots.

Gordon missed the recent 1-0 victory over Wolves due to suspension - following his tackle on Virgil van Dijk in a 3-2 defeat which saw him sent off - but he will be eligible to play in Europe.

City and Newcastle are both set to commence their Champions League matches at 8pm on Thursday, September 18 2025.