Control and Dominance!
The match turned on the early Napoli sending off, but prior to that, City were in control & dare I say it, we were looking like the seasoned Champions League campaigners we've become accustomed to seeing.
The match was all about the return of King Kev, & it was great, but weird to see him playing against us at the Etihad. The sending off denied him the opportunity to roll back the clock, but that's football.
We were patient & controlled after the sending off, & took advantage of our numerical advantage, so it was ultimately difficult to fairly judge our performance against the Italian champions who were a man down & playing away. But you can only play what's in front of you.
It was 0-0 at half time, & Napoli continued with their 4-4-1 low block formation & playing on the counter. We needed a goal to concentrate Napoli minds, & so it came when early in the second half, the brilliant Phil Foden scooped the ball over the Napoli defence toward the on-rushing Striking Viking, who looped a header over the keeper to score an astonishing 50th CL goal in 49 CL games! THIRTEEN quicker than the next best, Van Horseface of Old Toilet!
I didn't know what Napoli reaction to expect, but unlike the last 10 months, we stepped up the pace which forced Napoli to retreat further into their half. They were playing some tasty stuff on the rare occasions they got their foot on the ball, but we continued to contain them whilst looking comfortable in defence, creative in midfield & dangerous in attack.
Regardless, we needed a second goal to put clear Sky Blue water between the teams, & just when we were increasing the pressure on the Italians, so steps up the brilliant Jeremy Doku! The ball was being played around the edge of the box, when it was passed to Doku.
He held off the challenge from the two covering defenders. He then powered past them, twisted another two inside out, which took him into the six yard box where he slotted home a wonder goal through the keepers legs! This is the difference between Doku being left isolated out on the left, & having support. Look how many City players were around him & the transformation it made to his game.
Reijnders was a lot better tonight. He did nothing spectacular, but he looked better on the ball than over the last 3 games. He kept possession well, as we've come to expect at this level of football.
Donnarumma gives us so much defensive confidence, it's unreal! Dias looks a totally different player to the plodder we've seen over the last two years.
Khusanov gave us defensive solidity on the right, but a special mention must go out to O'Reilly who was absolutely brilliant. He was intelligent with his play, interchanging with Doku when necessary, inverting centrally when required, & of course getting back into position to defend.
Bernardo was brilliant too. The pace & control we had of the match suited his advancing years, albeit he was blowing from 75 minutes on, which suggests he may start Sunday on the Bench.
Haaland was busier than we've become used to & was influential in parts of our build-up play which was great to see.
Rodri was pulling the strings in midfield & looking more & more like the World Player of the Year Rodders of old.
Foden was imperious & it was he who mainly caught the eye! For the second game running he was our midfield general whilst playing in his preferred No 10 role. He was absolutely everywhere & excellent in everything he did. He was also very firm in his post-match assessment that he's a No 10 & essentially KDB's successor.
Are City back? Looking at the last 12 months as a whole, I'd say no. HOWEVER, if tonight's match was played 2-3 seasons ago, we'd have viewed it as a comfortable, regulation CL home win for the Sky Blues.
Tonight's performance was a massive step forward. In the post-match interview, Foden also said we're not back to our best, & the new players are still getting used to what Pep wants from them & what's required of them as City players. This will take time to achieve, so patience is required.
You can see how comfortable Nico G was when he came on. It's games like this that he & all the new players need to help build their confidence & get used to what's required at City's level, & the signs are promising.
We may not be there yet, but based on our last two performances, we're steadily moving in the right direction. Significant progress & CL qualification was my main aim for City after the first international break & I'll still happily settle for that.
I guess we'll face a stiffer task at the Emirates & that'll be a better litmus test as to where we stand against an elite Premier League & CL standard team. Roll on Sunday against ArseAnal!
