Manchester Metropolis produced a dominant efficiency to win 2-0 in opposition to 10-man Napoli of their Champions League opener on the Etihad Stadium.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s pink card halfway by the primary half made the duty too robust for the Italian facet with Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku scoring the objectives within the second interval for Pep Guardiola’s crew in what turned out to be a one-sided affair in Manchester.
The match had been billed as Kevin De Bruyne’s emotional return following the Metropolis legend’s summer season exit and the house followers paid tribute with ‘King Kev’ banners and heat applause, however the first-half pink card for Di Lorenzo led to his early substitution.
It took a VAR overview for the Napoli skipper to be despatched off however the replays clearly confirmed he had didn’t get a foot on the ball, his outstretched boot catching Haaland when the Norwegian was clear by. De Bruyne’s return over identical to that.
Antonio Conte knew that it could be a case of dogged resistance thereafter, for which he required graft not craft and his gamers responded with some stoic defending. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic produced a collection of gorgeous saves to maintain Napoli degree on the break.
Metropolis had 16 photographs within the first half alone however Napoli couldn’t preserve them out indefinitely. Phil Foden’s scooped go discovered Haaland and the striker’s deft header was too good for even Milinkovic-Savic. Fifty Champions League objectives in simply 49 video games. The quickest ever.
Doku danced by so as to add a second quickly after. The Belgium winger starred within the Manchester derby win on the weekend alongside Foden and Haaland. On this kind, Guardiola’s trio of attackers go into Sunday’s showdown with Arsenal stuffed with optimism.
Sunday twenty first September 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Guardiola: Man Metropolis have a special feeling
Man Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola talking on TNT:
“We started better than the last season when we drew against Inter here. We played a lot of minutes against 10, it was an advantage, but at the same time we were not, I would say, stressed in that situation. But we played well with 11 and it was a big victory against an incredible side.
“The crew within the final two video games took one other feeling. Our composure defensively, offensively, our physique language is unbelievably good.
“It’s a tough week. We have an incredible challenge on Sunday, but going there with these feelings is much better.”
On Doku: “In smaller spaces, over five metres, he’s unstoppable. If you come inside, then you can attack central defenders. The last two games were really, really good.”
Haaland’s Champions League report
The striker’s 50 objectives have are available simply 49 Champions League appearances, which is 13 fewer than it took earlier report holder Ruud van Nistelrooy to attain the feat.
Haaland has now scored 130 objectives for Manchester Metropolis in 151 appearances throughout all competitions, with 74 of these objectives coming in 71 video games on the Etihad Stadium.
He goes into Sunday’s showdown in opposition to Arsenal in fantastic kind having scored an astonishing 12 objectives in seven appearances for membership and nation thus far this season.
Conte: De Bruyne sub was the one possibility
Napoli head coach Antonio Conte talking on TNT:
“It’s already difficult to play against Manchester City, 11 vs 11. After 20 minutes it was impossible.
“Defensively we had been actually good and the 2 objectives I believe that we are able to do a lot better, however I haven’t got something to inform to my gamers as a result of the dedication, the angle was good. If we continued 11 vs 11 we may see one other recreation for my part.
On the pink card: “Honestly, I didn’t see the situation. The game was ruined with the red card but I don’t know if he is right. The referee made this decision and we have to accept it.
On taking off De Bruyne: “It was the one substitution that I may do. I used to be actually sorry for him as a result of it was the sport in opposition to his outdated crew however I believe Kevin understood it very nicely.”
Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne appears pissed off throughout the UEFA Champions League recreation in opposition to Man Metropolis
De Bruyne’s contact map for Napoli in opposition to Man Metropolis
Powerful Manchester return for Napoli trio
Whereas there was real disappointment that De Bruyne’s return was so fleeting, the Metropolis supporters actually loved serenading Rasmus Hojlund from the sphere. The striker, on mortgage from Manchester United, endured a depressing night as he toiled alone up entrance.
Hojlund’s time in Manchester was slightly much less heralded than his Belgian team-mate however the 22-year-old striker made a powerful begin to his Napoli profession with a purpose within the 3-1 win over Fiorentina and would have been hoping to ship a message. It was to not be.
Scott McTominay, one other former United participant, put in a shift in midfield however couldn’t showcase the attacking facet of his recreation that has so lit up Serie A since his transfer final 12 months. This evening belonged to Metropolis from the second Di Lorenzo trudged off the sphere.
