- Manchester City travel to Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday
- Pep Guardiola’s team can secure a last-16 place with a win or a draw
- The team trained at their academy before flying out to Italy on Tuesday
- Kevin de Bruyne says the team are focused on securing their qualification
Manchester City appeared in high spirits as they trained ahead of their Champions League visit to Napoli – a match that could see them secure their place in the knockout round.
Kevin de Bruyne seemed to be examining something in John Stones’s hair, while Gabriel Jesus looked like he was the target of a joke as Pep Guardiola’s squad trained on Halloween.
They will fly out to Naples on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the match on Wednesday night and know a win or draw will ensure Champions League football in the New Year.
Kevin de Bruyne messes with John Stones’s hair as Manchester City train on Tuesday morning
Kyle Walker reacts with surprise as City train ahead of their trip to Italy to face Napoli
Striker Gabriel Jesus shares a joke with his team-mates ahead of the Champions League tie
The young Brazilian striker appeared to be the target of a joke during the training session
City will secure their place in the knockout stages if they draw or win in Naples
Pep Guardiola’s team have made a blistering start to the season both at home and abroad. They sit five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League having won nine of their opening 10 matches.
And it’s a record of three wins from three in the Champions League as well after a 4-0 win away to Feyenoord, and 2-0 and 2-1 home wins over Shakhtar Donetsk and Napoli respectively.
But the Italian side, who currently lead Serie A with their own unbeaten start, will be no pushovers, particularly in their hostile Stadio San Paolo.
De Bruyne and Stones are all smiles as City aim to secure their last-16 spot in Europe
Manager Pep Guardiola is a picture of concentration as he shows off his ball control skills
The City manager lets the ball run loose as his control lets him down during training
Sergio Aguero shows immaculate chest control as City prepare for their game with Napoli
Fabian Delph pictured during City’s training session at their Academy on Tuesday morning
‘We know if we go to Napoli and win then we’ll have qualified,’ De Bruyne told City’s official website.
‘That would be a nice position for us to be in and then hopefully we can get another good win against Arsenal on Sunday and put some pressure on the rest of the teams.
‘It’s important to just get qualified and not be thinking about what it might mean, whether we could get a rest in the remaining group matches.
‘If we qualify, that is done. We might then have to think about finishing first or whatever but we know if we get a point or a win, we are qualified and so that’s our target.’
Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling swap hair-styling tips during training on Tuesday
Sterling, who is City’s leading scorer this season with nine goals, shows his touch
De Bruyne and Stones dribble with the ball as they get ready for a tough European mission
City’s squad stretch and warm-up as they trained before flying out to Italy on Tuesday
Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva and team-mates share a joke as they stretch off
Guardiola was in high spirit after City’s outstanding start to the season