Napoli`s Italian coach Antonio Conte reacts during a Serie A match between Sassuolo and Napoli on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP)
Conte Finalizes 24-Player Roster for Napoli`s Champions League Challenge, Marianucci Excluded
As anticipated, Romelu Lukaku will not be part of Napoli`s Champions League roster for the upcoming season. Also missing are Marianucci and Mazzocchi, with the latter losing his spot to Spinazzola in a tight battle for selection. These are the crucial selections made by Antonio Conte for Napoli`s much-awaited return to Europe`s elite club competition.
This marks their inaugural journey into the revamped “super” Champions League. By a twist of fate, the Italian champions are set to kick off their campaign at Manchester`s Etihad Stadium against Manchester City on September 18th. This mirrors their very first Champions League appearance under coach Walter Mazzarri, where Edinson Cavani famously scored, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Napoli`s home fixtures at the Maradona Stadium will see them face Sporting Lisbon, Eintracht Frankfurt, Qarabag, and Chelsea. Their away schedule, following the Manchester City encounter, includes matches against Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, and FC Copenhagen. The squad will comprise 24 eligible players, rather than the maximum 25, due to Napoli only having three homegrown players (Contini, Vergara, and Ambrosino) instead of the four required by competition rules.
Goalkeepers
- Milinkovic-Savic
Defenders
- Beukema
- Rrahmani
- Buongiorno
- Juan Jesus
- Spinazzola
- Gutierrez
- Olivera
Midfielders
- Anguissa
- De Bruyne
- Elmas
- Gilmour
- Lobotka
- McTominay
Forwards
- Hojlund
- Neres
- Lang
Italian Players
Key Italian players selected by Antonio Conte for the Champions League squad:
- Di Lorenzo
- Lucca
- Meret
- Politano
Homegrown Players
The homegrown talents included in Conte`s squad, fulfilling part of UEFA`s requirements:
- Ambrosino
- Contini
- Vergara
