MAN CITY 1 – 1 Napoli – MY THOUGHTS
15 Sep
So there we go. The wait is over and we have a point. That’s not exactly what we hoped for prior to the game but it’s a fair enough reflection on what was an intriguing match. We’re on the board and can kick on: the most important thing is that we didn’t lose.
We’ve been waiting for this moment ever since the draw was made so it was a relief just to get out onto the pitch and play. Napoli were mightily impressive in the way they set up, and with them being ranked as the worst side in the group, it just highlights how tough this stage will be. There are no weak teams and we will have to play at our best to progress.
As Roberto Mancini mentioned after the game, nerves clearly played a part. Although over half our starting eleven had played in the Champions League in the past, we started fairly nervously and that quickly spread to the fans. The atmosphere was good, if not as electric as I imagined it would be, but there were signs of frustrations during the first half when we didn’t score, a reflection of our new expectations.
One problem we faced in terms of creativity was that both Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero weren’t anywhere near their best. For whatever reason, they seemed off the pace, unable to interchange and confuse the defenders as they have done so brilliantly in their brief City career. As a result, the onus fell yet again on the shoulders of David Silva to be our midfield maestro and although he was superb in the first half, he was virtually non-existant in the second.
It’s surprising that Nasri and Aguero were both so underwhelming. They have plenty of experience at this level and should have been able to rise to the challenge last night. Instead, with them off kilter, our neat interplay and passing wasn’t working and Napoli were able to defend with greater conviction.
One player who hugely impressed me, as much as it pains me to say it, was Yaya Touré. In the FA Cup semi-final and final last season, he proved himself to be a player for the big occasion and he further emphasised that last night. He was far more involved than normal and as a result, had an impact on the game. Gareth Barry should take some credit for that as his defensive awareness allowed Yaya to press further forward. He probably should have scored with his effort that struck the bar, but it was a pleasing, powerful performance and one he should produce more often.
Opposition View: Napoli, considering this was their debut in the Champions League, were superb. They were very discplined at the back, worked incredibly hard to deny the likes of Silva and Nasri any space and their balance between defence and attack was perfect. On the break, they were electric. They counter-attacked with great pace and exploited the lack of mobility in our midfield. In particular, Lavezzi and Zuniga impressed me, and Napoli’s quality merely highlights what a tough group we’re in.
So attention now turns to Fulham away on Sunday, followed by Birmingham in the Carling Cup the Wednesday after. I imagine it will be a much changed side for both of those fixtures, but we should have enough quality to win the games. We will be all the better for this experience and it promises to be a cracker next up in the Champions League: away to Bayern Munich.
I have serious doubts about Aguero. Of coarse he will get goals against lesser opposition but i am not sure he is the big game world class player some have claimed. Having said that we acquitted ourselves well until early in the second half when frustration set in and we desperately needed a fresh approach.
Yet again Mancini had to wait until it was nearly too late to act. I cannot understand this, unless he does not want to offend some players by taking them off. When Johnson and Tevez came on it cemented an upturn in our general play and this could have been capatalized on if he had acted earlier!!!
Spot on again, as is the above comment. Nasri and Aguero should have been off on the hour, allowing Carlos and Johnson to run at Napoli as our passing wasn’t getting through them. Big mistake Bobby M.
Nasri and Augero had a bad day and there goes some fans to sound doom and gloom. You do not actually expect City to win every single game [though that would be nice]. I think it is not that City played bad, Napoli played a disciplined and great game. Even with all that we played a great game and unlucky not to win the game. Hopefully we get better as times goes on. Makes you wonder if Barca and United fans have also started to sound doom and gloom after the draw!
Right on Siamack!
A generous assessment of Barry and Yaya VFAB, the former is much under appreciated in one of the least glam role on the pitch and congrats on not sounding even a little bit grudging in your praiset of Yaya
I don’t think Napoli are by any means the eakest side in the group. That must be Villareal although they are no pushovers either.
the latter hasn’t always