Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over 10-man Napoli on Thursday. Despite dominating the ball in the early stages, the visitors quickly became content to sit in a low block, soaking up City pressure before looking to hit on the counter. After a long range effort from Tijani Reijnders stung the gloves of Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action to stop a Sam Beukema header from a Napoli corner.

Any hope of sustained attacking threat from the visitors was quashed when Giovanni Di Lorenzo brought Erling Haaland down with the Norwegian breaking towards the Napoli goal. Originally ruled a fair tackle on the pitch, an intervention by the VAR led to Antonio Conte’s captain being given his marching orders. Unfortunately, that brought Kevin De Bruyne’s homecoming to a premature end, as the Belgian was sacrificed for Mathias Oliveira in the 25th minute. The City legend was given a hero’s send-off by his adoring public at the Etihad. 

Napoli sat further and further back, and the Sky Blues camped in the Italian champions half for the remainder of the first half. Milinkovic-Savic was called into action, making smart stops from a Nico O’Reilly header, a well-struck volley by Rodri and a glancing nod from Josko Gvardiol. City’s best chance fell to Tijjani Reijnders, whose shot from the edge of the box was almost turned into his own net by Matteo Politano. His block on the goal-line luckily cannoned into his keeper’s grasps. 

Ten minutes into the second half, City found their breakthrough. Foden received the ball on the half turn, flicked a lofted pass into Haaland’s path, and the striker nodded home. The 50th Champions League goal of Haaland’s career, he is the quickest player to reach that milestone in the history of the competition. The lead was doubled not long after, as Doku brilliantly ghosted past four Napoli defenders before slotting past an onrushing Milinkovic-Savic. 

Both managers rung the changes with 15 minutes left to play, signifying the contest was over. Pep Guardiola will be happy with his team’s performance, and thankful for a routine win ahead of their titanic clash with Arsenal at the weekend. 

GOAL rates City’s players from the Etihad Stadium…