Champions League 2025-26: Contrasting fortunes for Rashford and De Bruyne on return to English soil

The last set matches of the opening day of the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 League phase On Friday Marcus Rashford and Kevin De Bruyne saw their return to England.

While Rashford represented the Spanish champion FC Barcelona in his draw against Newcastle United, Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne returned to the Etihad Stadium, this time another shade of blue from Napoli.

The two former rivals in Manchester, however, had a contrasting fortunes in the night when Rashford took a match-winning brace, while De Bruyne had broken off his night due to a forced tactical replacement.

Rashford of the goal for Barcelona

An injury to Teenage Sensation Lamine Yamal meant that Marcus Rashford – on loan from Manchester United – was promoted to the starting line -up, with coach Hansi Flick who supported the Englishman’s skills for the game.

Rashford justified the coach’s faith in him by scoring twice in nine and half a minute in the second half. His first goal for the club came through a angular header after he reached a cross of Jules Kounde, nested the ball in the left side of the goal.

Read also | Haaland could surpass Ronaldo’s Champions League scores, says Manchester City Boss Guardiola

However, he saved his best for the second.

He locked on a loose ball on the edge of the box and cut towards him before he hit him past Nick Pope in the top left corner.

The implementation suggests that the 27-year-old Englishman is recovering his old form after he has gotten out of grace at United.

De Bruyne’s return not as expected

The structure of the man City vs Napoli was heavily focused on De Bruyne and his return to his 10 -year -old house. In the night, however, Napoli succumbed to a 2-0 defeat, where De Bruyne did not get the chance to turn in the magic.

Just over 20 minutes after the game, Napoli Defender and Captain Giovanni di Lorenzo were shown a direct red card after a VAR review for downing City’s Erling Haaland just outside the box.

Five minutes later, manager Antonio Conte was forced to sacrifice De Bruyne and reorganize his backline after he went to 10 men.

The city of Great, who received the welcome from a hero, then got an ovation when he left the field. After the game he went around the stadium and hugged his former teammates while the fans sang his name.

Conte said that De Bruyne took out early ‘the only replacement I could do, to be honest.

«I really regretted him because it was a match against his old team, but Kevin understood very well. I only had this decision,» he added.

Published on September 19, 2025