Napoli (H) | CL | Post Match Thread

The red allowed it to be as one sided as it was so it is hard to take too much away, although prior to the red I felt we was in complete control. I thought we managed the game really well and without having to get out of first gear. Great prep for Sunday.
 
JCB001 said:
So he was consistently fair or shit then
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Not at all.

He was consistently shit - not fair or shit - just shit.

Worst fucking performance from a ref in terms of getting out of the way of play that I've seen for several years - and given that this is a Champion's League fixture - arguably the most - but certainly at least second most - important fixture for top sides (winning the league is often rated more important) - then having a shit referee is especially bad.
 
unusual to see the ref wearing a red shirt, usually they wear red underneath their ref shirt...

was still sh*t though, gave us nothing, and the only thing he did give us was because he was forced to by VAR - not that we benefitted from it.
 
BlueMoonAcrossThePond said:
Agree. Our upcoming game against Arsenal will clarify matters.

Two take aways from the United and Napoli games:
1) Fodin is back;

2) Doku - in spite of my reservations about him - may be improving.
Doku has had two outstanding games in a row - if he's given license to drift and drive into the middle - he'll be at his best - and in his past two games he's had an excellent end product very often - scoring or assisting at the level expected of an elite winger.

It's no secret that Doku will toast most defenders in a one-on-one situation - and because of this - we've seen sides double team Doku when he receives the ball. This presents a new challenge for Doku - since he's double-teamed - there's an open attacker somewhere. Can he consistently use judgement to pass quickly in these situations, punishing the double team?
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Doku is super quick compared to Savinho.
I noticed it last night when he replaced Doku.
Tried to go outside his man a few times but although quuck he is nowhere near as fast with the ball as Doku.
 
hertsblue said:
23 shots to 1 v the Italian champions who have a 100% record this season and not lost a league game in 2025 and Lucy Ward “ wasnt a classic”
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I agree that it wasn't a classic match - but it was closer to classic City than I can remember for a long time. Certainly at any time this calendar year.

Just professionally taking care of a dangerous opponent, with minimal fuss.

Not much defending to do, so trying not to get things out of perspective as far as Sunday's concerned, but even the back looked better, with Khus showing the genuine defensive instinct that we've been crying out for at RB. He's not the finished article yet but surely the way to go, in that position?

And Doku - two games on the trot (3 if you include Belgium). Who'd have thought?
 
Doku has been a revelation so far this season, he's actually looking like he can give us an end product. Another excellent performance again last night.

And that was easily Khusanov's best game in blue. Really impressed with him last night.

He still makes me nervous as he looks like he can't wait to get rid of the ball at times, but he is a young lad, speaks little English, new country, far quicker League than he's played in, etc, etc. I shouldn't be expecting miracles.

Also, that was a perfect game for Rodri to get his fitness up and his match fitness up.
 
Job done. Looked good and was never really in doubt. More minutes in Rodri's legs and no injuries, all good

World class from Foden for the first, and if vinicius jr had done what Doku did there for the second...

Big one Sunday but reasonably confident of getting a result after this week
 
Tbilisi said:
Was shocked at how quiet their fans were, lots of day trippers/UK based?
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Tbf on tv the whole stadium was quiet they had nothing to get excited about after the red card it ceased to be a game just a training match that why our fans were so quiet as well.
 
I've said it previously, when Doku attacks down the middle, he can be as devastating as Messi was. We've seen it now in consecutive games - no one can stop him legally when he bursts through. It's fantastic to see, and the lad must be feeling very confident about things now.

We're creating defensive nightmares with him, Foden and Haaland around the edge of the box. Unstoppable.
 
A lot will be made out of them being down to 10, but even before that we were in control. Something that we haven't seen for a long time, patience, calmness and just players moving into space around the press. It's not coincidence this is with Rodri coming back, and seemingly starting to pick up some sharpness. You only need to see him dropping into little pockets, doing bounce off passes and dropping deep to help build up - something we missed a lot. You can also see Foden seems to be playing with fun, whether it's just him getting back mentally and physically where he was or just that competition has come in which has forced him to show himself - game changer for us. The pass for the red card from him was immense as was the one for the assist.

I thought that Dias and Gvardiol partnership looked good as well, i'm so glad Ruben is starting to pick up some form again. I really like Khusanov, he's obviously a bit of a freight train but he showed last night that he also has a good touch and passing ability - really raw but so much potential.

Donna has only played 2 games and obviously passing might never be where we had before, but the calmness he brings and the fact you know he will even come and punch or collect from corners, something we have really missed.
 
I thought that was an excellent performance. Never easy against ten men, particularly when they're as well drilled as a Conte side but we moved the ball quickly and with purpose.

Reijnders much better and Rodri seemed much sharper too.

Two amazing goals. The run and finish from Doku is world class.
 
I was out last night missed it all.
How were the beauts on the Match Day day thread?
Very happy to get 3pts from a tough opponent and ha ha to Rasmus Birtles and Scott McTobermory.
Love this club.
 
the blue panther said:
I've said it previously, when Doku attacks down the middle, he can be as devastating as Messi was. We've seen it now in consecutive games - no one can stop him legally when he bursts through. It's fantastic to see, and the lad must be feeling very confident about things now.

We're creating defensive nightmares with him, Foden and Haaland around the edge of the box. Unstoppable.
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Steady.
 
1000099292.jpg1000099294.jpg

"Guardiola confirmed after the victory that the midfielder asked to be taken off but confirmed that the Spaniard is ‘fine’, which will come as music to the ears of Manchester City fans across the globe ahead of Sunday’s game."

I just hope that Pep doesn't start picking his preferred team for every match, rinsing our players dry again!

Before making our final substitutions, I noticed Pep asking Bernardo if he was OK to continue & giving a thumbs up before allowing the substitutions to happen. Maybe it's painful lessons finally learned?

cityxtra.co.uk

Rodri update issued by Pep Guardiola amid injury concerns after worrying Napoli substitution

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fitness update on Rodri after the Ballon d’Or holder was taken off in a 2-0 win over Napoli on Thursday evening. Rodri made his first start in…
cityxtra.co.uk cityxtra.co.uk
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Skrastins said:
it is so hard to judge from the last two games
United were just shit
Napoli went man down early

i'm happy that Pep uses O'reilly to widen the pitch and Doku drive inside the center to put more pressure on opponents CBs


when was the last time opposition got a red card?
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Lewis Cook for Bournemouth, not long after Kova was sent off. It was towards end of last season.
 
Salford_Blue said:
Doku has been a revelation so far this season, he's actually looking like he can give us an end product. Another excellent performance again last night.

And that was easily Khusanov's best game in blue. Really impressed with him last night.

He still makes me nervous as he looks like he can't wait to get rid of the ball at times, but he is a young lad, speaks little English, new country, far quicker League than he's played in, etc, etc. I shouldn't be expecting miracles.

Also, that was a perfect game for Rodri to get his fitness up and his match fitness up.
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Phil's post match was insightful on this, said that Jezza is taking a bit more time in the final bit and the quality of his output is better!
 
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