SARRI v PEP WILL BE A BATTLE OF THE EURO GIANTS

MANCHESTER CITY’S Champions League tie with Napoli next week will see a clash between the leaders of the Premier League and Serie A – and the top two coaches in Europe.

Maurizio Sarri’s side have won their first seven league matches of the season playing a dynamic, attacking style and scoring 25 goals. “I am curious to see this match,” said former Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi.

“Manchester City are playing overwhelming football. In Italy, our championship is not like yours, it is slower.

“Sarri has a team without top players. The only one they had was Higuain and he went to Juventus.

“Napoli have had a great start to the season but this will be their most difficult match and will be fascinating to watch.”

Sarri (left), who replaced Rafa Benitez in 2015, deploys a high press and an attacking trident of Dries Mertens, Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne. His style has been compared to that of City boss Pep Guardiola (right).

Sarri said: “Let’s say my football and his are similar even if his style has evolved over the years.

“With Bayern Munich and Manchester City, things have changed with respect to Barcelona.

“The philosophy has remained the same but he has modified the movement.

“Finding myself against him will be emotional. He is a talent, a phenomenon who is still evolving.

“His football will be the mark of this era. Taking points in these two meetings could be the difference in this group.”