MAN CITY 1 – 1 Napoli – PLAYER RATINGS
15 Sep
Hart - Couldn’t have done anything with the goal but didn’t have his best game overall. Kicking was poor, distribution not as good as normal - 6
Zabaleta - Unfortunately, looks to be a yard too slow for this level. Was having to make a number of slide tackles throughout the game, a sign of how he was late to the ball. Got forward frequently but very limited end product. A very reliable squad member but this seemed a step too far for him - 6
Kompany - Nearly gave a last minute goal away with a sloppy backpass that reminded all of United, and nearly made one other costly slip. Otherwise solid enough. Dominant in the air - 6
Lescott - Continued his good form with another solid display. Handled Napoli’s threat well overall but if I was to criticise something, it’s that he needs to move the ball on quicker - 7.5
Kolarov - Fantastic goal but was otherwise very average. As with Zabaleta, got forward often, but lacks any imagination when given the ball. No pace which means he can’t beat a man. Ends up turning round and passing backwards. The goal masks an insipid performance - 6.5
Barry - Apart from the reckless flick which lead to Napoli scoring, Barry was excellent. Read the game brilliantly, was always available for a pass, used the ball intelligently and his defensive knowhow allowed Yaya to impose himself further forward - 7.5
Y. Touré - Proved he’s a big game player with his goals in the FA Cup last year and he was my man of the match last night. Far more involved than usual, thanks to Barry’s awareness of the defensive midfield role, and he was able to impose himself on the game. A few powerful surges through the middle, kept possession well and should have scored when he hit the bar. Why can’t he perform like this more often?! - 8
Nasri - The major disappointment. So effective against Spurs and then in his cameo at home to Wigan, but didn’t turn up yesterday. Looked off the pace, had minimal impact in the final third and should have been replaced earlier - 5.5
Silva - The first half was the David Silva show as he controlled the game with his movement and awareness of others. Unfortunately, faded in the second period and was hardly involved. With Nasri and Aguero underpar, the onus was again solely on him to create and he managed it for 45 minutes - 7
Aguero - Another to underwhelm. Worked hard and looked busy but his end product was lacking. Flicks and link up play didn’t quite work, but he’ll bounce back. Perhaps tried too hard to impress - 6
Džeko - One of the bright sparks. Some of his hold up play and dribbling was exceptional. Looks a completely different player from last season. Good in the air. I was surprised Mancini took him off instead of Aguero - 7
Subs
Clichy - Would have felt rightly annoyed to have been left out. Quicker than Kolarov and better in the final third with his movement and passing - 6
A. Johnson - Added another outlet down the right and as per usual, made something happen - 6.5
Tévez - Cut an angry and frustrated figure as he ‘warmed-up’ on the sidelines. Could hardly be bothered to stretch and looked totally disinterested. Needs to realise he’s not first choice. Didn’t have a huge impact when he came on - 5.5
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I for one would have liked to see Tevez start along with Dzecko. Also think you are being a tad harsh on Kolorov as i thought it was one of his better games. For me Nasri is a player who like Aguero will be mesmeric against weaker teams but will find it difficult to impose himself on games like this.
Toure was great to watch and the fact that European teams are a lot less tight in the middle of the pitch will hopefully work to his advantage this season.
I presume the game on Sunday Bobby Manc sees as more difficult otherwise why didnt the first choice fullbacks start? We clearly needed people to run at Napoli as we couldn’t pass through them and there was not enough movement up front. So Tevez and Johnson should have been on much earlier and for the ineffective Nasri and Aguero, not Edin who improves every game.
I’m sure you r not gonna let this post on ur site..but the truth is that I think you are biased with ur rating of lescott and barry who incidentally happen to be English players..
I allow all criticism/debate, as long as there is no bad language involved. What has the fact that they are English got to do with anything?
Yaya was IMPRESSIVE, I hardly recall him playing like this.
Though Lescott did not make any mistakes defensively, he needs to be more confident on the ball and ball distribution. His skills on the ball is very primitive.
Barry had a good game except the killer back pass which cost of dearly but ,hey, as long as these mistakes happen once in a blue moon, you can blame fallible human nature.
Kolarov has definitely upped his game but he is not there yet.
Most of Napoli player have a small stature, It would have been nice if Mancini had had Richard playing.
No matter how good u say Yaya played he didnt do the job he was supposed to and for that i think ur being harsh on Kompany think both he and Lescott wer r best players think Lescott could hav done better for ther goal but its not fair to blame him it was a situation wer no one could be bothered tracking back and the defence wer outnumbered it happened a few times on the nite and although Napoli didnt fully punish us a team like bayern will. Barry 7.5 really he costs us a goal and gets a 7.5 how does that work?
It works because he had an excellent game. That mistake led to a goal it didn’t cost the goal. Share the cost between Barry and the defenders that were AWOL, his error was well into their half and should never have led to a goal if others had been paying attention.
Name a player on the pitch that didn’t make at least one mistake during the game?
I can’t