Monday 16 October 2017 16:03, UK
Pep Guardiola has dismissed suggestions Napoli could rest key players for their Champions League clash with Manchester City and claimed he could name the Serie A club's starting XI.
Napoli's outspoken president Aurelio De Laurentiis recently claimed the Italian side would consider resting players with one eye on a crucial match against domestic rivals Inter Milan this weekend.
However, Guardiola believes Napoli will play their strongest side on Tuesday night and even claimed he could name the exact line-up that will start for the hosts at Stadio San Paolo.
When asked if he believed De Laurentiis, Guardiola said: "Absolutely not.
"If he is travelling this afternoon with [Napoli head coach] Maurizio Sarri in the same plane, or in a private jet, he can ask him what team he is going to play.
"I think in the last 10 games they have played the same line-up. I can announce to you which players are going to play for Napoli against us."
Napoli, like Manchester City, have started the season in impressive form and currently lead Serie A by two points ahead of their nearest rivals, Inter.
Sarri's side have scored 26 goals in just eight league games and Guardiola is wary of the attacking threat posed by the Italians.
"I'm pretty sure it will be a fascinating game," said the former Barcelona manager. "They do many, many things and all the things they do, they do perfectly.
"They are not a team that is going to wait. There is going to be high pressing and they have the ability to make amazing build-ups, especially in the middle.
"They have three guys that are so dynamic. [Lorenzo] Insigne, [Dries] Mertens and [Jose] Callejon.
"They are not guys to just receive long balls. They are so dynamic, good in small spaces and they run in behind and just the right tempo - especially Callejon."
Guardiola also revealed that Sergio Aguero is close to returning to full fitness after recovering from the broken rib he suffered in a car crash in Amsterdam earlier this month.
"Day by day he is much, much better," said the Spaniard. "Yesterday he made an amazing training session. The day before Stoke, he was good but not perfect. He was much better."
