Napoli (Away) Pre Match Thread

[CityStu]

Wouldn't want Sane in any position where he's expected to help out with defensive duties.

Not necessarily help out defensively, as I agree that he's not the best at it. Just a deeper starting position so he can get more involved in the short passing as we search for opportunities and he's an extra body to help intercept Napoli play.

 

[Marvin]

I'd take a draw as well.

This looks like our most difficult week of the season to date. If we get though this week with a draw at Napoli, and qualification in the bag, and we beat Arsenal then we really will be in a fantastic position.

We must not play for a draw though. That could be a danger. In the back of our mind, we'll know that a draw is good enough whereas Napoli are going to really go for it. I think they will throw everything at us in the first 20 mins.

 

[Marvin]

The score flattered them.
Goal 1: Sassuolo defender has a brain freeze at the back in front of his box, Allan takes it off his foot and scores
Goal 2: Corner, comes off the Sassuolo GK own goal

Goal 3: short corner Sassuolo defender tries to head it away it goes horribly wrong ends up heading it to Maggio who heads it down to Mertens for an easy score.

Game really should've ended in a draw Reina made some wonder saves that could've had the game end a different way but Sassuolo were really unlucky today.
They played a really strong team and only rested Hsayj and Koulibaly. Allan and Jorginho both played 90 minutes. Reading Napoli fan commentary they would rather see Allan and Jorginho who gave us fits than Zieliński next to Hamsik.

We also talk about rotating and resting players but all of Napoli's front 3 have played every league game and every champions league game(including playoff against Nice) and they don't have much quality in those positions on the bench. It's part of the reason why I don't think they will go on and win Serie A. Sarri has some major decisions on his hands bc they have games against MIlan and Juve before and after their champions league games.

Thanks. Interesting post.

 

[bellsouth]

I'd take a draw as well.

This looks like our most difficult week of the season to date. If we get though this week with a draw at Napoli, and qualification in the bag, and we beat Arsenal then we really will be in a fantastic position.

We must not play for a draw though. That could be a danger. In the back of our mind, we'll know that a draw is good enough whereas Napoli are going to really go for it. I think they will throw everything at us in the first 20 mins.

Agree with everything you've said here. Too many on here are preoccupied by games after the international break, however these two games really define the next part of our season. A positive result in Naples would guarantee qualification and a win pretty much guarantees top spot, which allows us to rotate more in the final two games ahead of Premier league games. Then a win against Arsenal would almost put them out plus we will be guaranteed to pick up points on another rival with the Chelsea United game (which I think is nailed on for a draw).

But if we were to lose against Napoli, we mustn't let if affect us, even though a lot of media and neutrals are dying for us to hit the rails, so a positive response in beating Arsenal will send a big statement that we can handle it. Big week!

 

[domalino]

I reckon this will be our most difficult game until February, possibly later if we get a decent Last 16 draw.

 

[kaz7]

German referee Felix Brych will take charge of Napoli vs. Manchester City on Wednesday night.

Brych's previous two City appointments were the 1-0 defeat to Juventus (2015) and 2-1 defeat to Barcelona (2015, Clichy sent off).

 

[mcfc1632]

Just enjoying pre-flight drinks at the Gatwick's Weatherspoon's - my sort of place - yeah classy I know!!

Looks like this will be a great trip

 

[KDBtojesus]

I know this will at least be a fun game to watch at the very least.

 

[Edin blue]

Strongest team, I've not forked out around £700 for this trip to watch us play for a draw or lose the game. A win there pretty much seals the group with 2 games to go. I think it will be tough but they couldn't cope with our wingers at home and that will be they key over there. As long as the players don't get intimidated by the very hostile crowd we will be fine. You want to win every game no matter what competition it is. We've had our "off day" v Wolves drawing 0-0 now lets keep this unbeaten run going.

Arsenal look poor, they have went behind in their last 3 games. We have the quality to beat them at home.

 

[geoff clipp]

A draw would be a great result for us but given how things stand in the group, it's not the kind of game where i can see a draw being played out (well not a low scoring one anyway). If Shakhtar beat Feyenoord (and you'd have to make them strong favourites), anything less than a win means it's pretty much over for Napoli. There'll be no room for any conservatism on their part, they have to win this game. It's going to be a really open game and it wouldn't make sense for us to play for a draw (I don't think we have it in us to do that anyway) in a match where we'll most likely get lots of opportunities to play to own strengths. Could be five or six goals in this one with the result going either way.