The final set of matches of the opening matchday of the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 league phase on Friday saw Marcus Rashford and Kevin De Bruyne making their return to England.
While Rashford represented Spanish champion FC Barcelona in its tie against Newcastle United, Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne returned to the Etihad Stadium, this time repping a different shade of blue of Napoli.
However, the two former Manchester rivals had contrasting fortunes on the night as Rashford bagged a match-winning brace, while De Bruyne had his night cut short due to a forced tactical substitution.
Rashford off the mark for Barcelona
An injury to teenage sensation Lamine Yamal meant that Marcus Rashford – on loan from Manchester United – got promoted to the starting lineup, with coach Hansi Flick backing the Englishman’s skills ahead of the game.
Rashford justified the coach’s faith in him by netting twice in nine and a half minutes in the second half. His first goal for the club came through an angled header after he reached a cross from Jules Kounde, nestling the ball into the left side of the goal.
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However, he saved his best for the second.
He latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and cut to his right before slamming it into top left corner past Nick Pope.
The performance suggests that the 27-year-old Englishman is recovering his old form after falling out of favour at United.
De Bruyne’s return not as anticipated
The build-up to the Man City vs Napoli was heavily focused on De Bruyne and his return to his home of 10 years. However, on the night Napoli succumbed to a 2-0 defeat, with De Bruyne not getting the chance to turn on the magic.
Just over 20 minutes into the match, Napoli defender and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo was shown a direct red card following a VAR review for bringing down City’s Erling Haaland just outside the box.
Five minutes later, manager Antonio Conte was forced to sacrifice De Bruyne and reorganise his backline after going down to 10 men.
The City great, who was given a hero’s welcome, was then given an ovation as he left the field. After the match, he went around the stadium, embracing his former teammates while the fans chanted his name.
Conte said taking De Bruyne off early was “the only substitution that I could do, honestly.
“I was really sorry for him because it was a game against his old team, but Kevin understood very well. I had only this decision,” he added.
Published on Sep 19, 2025
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com