Napoli (H) - Thu 18th Sept, 20:00 | CL | Pre-Match Thread

Match Result Prediction?

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rabby said:
Football is and always has been a evolving game,every style has eventually been matched and surpassed.
Peps challenge is whether he can adapt his football philosophy to counter the styles that have rendered his original game obsolete.
Last season he spoke of getting the ball forward more quickly with the likes of Doku being a purchase that would enable this, unfortunately we still played a slow inching our way forward possession style and Doku's effectiveness was limited due to where he would eventually receive the ball.
On Sunday the rags had considerably more possession than we would normally allow them so players like Haaland and Doku sat much deeper contributing defensively,but it meant whenever we turned over possession both burst forward and we all saw the difference it made to their contribution.
As great as performances like the Madrid hammering were based on our possession controlled style,the level of concentration and accuracy required to pull off performances like that are almost impossible to maintain,and it's why we have been picked off so often by lesser teams.
If Pep can adapt and develop a style to win us more titles against the teams currently in the ascendency it will be his greatest achievement yet.
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The main reason for our problems last season wasn't Pep's style or philosophy but a combination of factors such as injuries, including to key players, aging legends, and Foden losing form (perhaps Pep's private problems as well). Don't forget we won more points than the youngish and energetic sides of Chelsea and Newcastle. We won 3 from the 4 games against them, playing without Rodri and other important players.

Our performance vs United isn't showing a change in philosophy, but us struggling to get back to winning ways, having many new players and players returning from injuries. Pep has stated he isn't giving up on his principles. No need for a radical reinvention either. For example, having a fully fit Rodri and Foden back in form will solve many of the problems that look structural, i.e., related to Pep's philosophy.
 
The mbuemo volley came from a mishit cross from Dorgu. The Casemiro chance came from a mishit shot outside the box .
 
mancboy said:
genuine q apart from the mbuemo hit which was just a good hit, what massive chances did we give up to the rags, im not being obtuse i just dont remember in the game when they created huge chances
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mancboy said:
Im not disputing that they had alot of possesion which was unusual for them but i just dont recall them creating a tremendous amount with it. Possession while nice and good to look at on the stats sheet isnt the be all and end all how many times recently have u seen city dominate a game and be on the wrong end of a result to a team with far less possession that were clinical and quick.
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City were scrabbling defensively a lot of that second half. Changes also can disrupt. We played parts of that second half like we did against Brighton and spurs but only deference is that they took their chances.

The Donna save was a big point in the game. That why I was excited for the signing. We need to keep teams out when they hit is on the counter as much as possible. Maybe not clear chances but better finishing from the rags and who knows…
 
We were not great against the rags, will have to play better Thursday because Naples are a far better side than the rags, who are relegation standard.
But I think we are improving, whether we will improve enough to overcome Naples and Arsenal is an entirely different matter.
I would take a 1-0 win against Naples and a draw at Arsenal.
 
wolviedinho said:
City were scrabbling defensively a lot of that second half. Changes also can disrupt. We played parts of that second half like we did against Brighton and spurs but only deference is that they took their chances.

The Donna save was a big point in the game. That why I was excited for the signing. We need to keep teams out when they hit is on the counter as much as possible. Maybe not clear chances but better finishing from the rags and who knows…
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fair play just not how i saw it but everyone sees games differently.
 
alexmcity said:
The main reason for our problems last season wasn't Pep's style or philosophy but a combination of factors such as injuries, including to key players, aging legends, and Foden losing form (perhaps Pep's private problems as well). Don't forget we won more points than the youngish and energetic sides of Chelsea and Newcastle. We won 3 from the 4 games against them, playing without Rodri and other important players.

Our performance vs United isn't showing a change in philosophy, but us struggling to get back to winning ways, having many new players and players returning from injuries. Pep has stated he isn't giving up on his principles. No need for a radical reinvention either. For example, having a fully fit Rodri and Foden back in form will solve many of the problems that look structural, i.e., related to Pep's philosophy
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alexmcity said:
The main reason for our problems last season wasn't Pep's style or philosophy but a combination of factors such as injuries, including to key players, aging legends, and Foden losing form (perhaps Pep's private problems as well). Don't forget we won more points than the youngish and energetic sides of Chelsea and Newcastle. We won 3 from the 4 games against them, playing without Rodri and other important players.

Our performance vs United isn't showing a change in philosophy, but us struggling to get back to winning ways, having many new players and players returning from injuries. Pep has stated he isn't giving up on his principles. No need for a radical reinvention either. For example, having a fully fit Rodri and Foden back in form will solve many of the problems that look structural, i.e., related to Pep's philosophy.
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If you believe all it's going to take for us to return to the ascendency is the return of a few injured players you're kidding yourself.
Chelsea and Newcastle are not the teams we have to get the better of to win silverware.
Pep doesn't have to change his principles but he needs to modify them,stay the same and we'll be left behind.
 
rabby said:
If you believe all it's going to take for us to return to the ascendency is the return of a few injured players you're kidding yourself.
Chelsea and Newcastle are not the teams we have to get the better of to win silverware.
Pep doesn't have to change his principles but he needs to modify them,stay the same and we'll be left behind.
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To modify principles is to change them.

The explanation of our problems, according to which Pep's philosophy is outdated 15 months after it won us the 4th in a row, something which Ferguson couldn't achieve over 27 years at United, is likely no more than a naive generalisation. People look for reasons at the wrong places.

As the season progresses, this team will start to play and dominate games like Pep's teams of old. It won't be of the same quality as the Treble team, and it may rely more on transitions, but basic parameters like enjoying over 60% possession are likely to be there and soon.
 
alexmcity said:
The main reason for our problems last season wasn't Pep's style or philosophy but a combination of factors such as injuries, including to key players, aging legends, and Foden losing form (perhaps Pep's private problems as well). Don't forget we won more points than the youngish and energetic sides of Chelsea and Newcastle. We won 3 from the 4 games against them, playing without Rodri and other important players.

Our performance vs United isn't showing a change in philosophy, but us struggling to get back to winning ways, having many new players and players returning from injuries. Pep has stated he isn't giving up on his principles. No need for a radical reinvention either. For example, having a fully fit Rodri and Foden back in form will solve many of the problems that look structural, i.e., related to Pep's philosophy.
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In 2023-24 we won the league with 91 points. In 2024-25 we finished on 71 points and Liverpool won the title with 84 points.

One can say that City's decline was due to some combination of:
  • aging
  • injury
  • general improvement of rivals
Clearly aging and injury are the dominant explanations.

City's recovery in 2025-26 is then dependent on the performance of new players, and the recovery from injury of players like Rodri and Stones. And as you say the return to form of key players like Foden.

That's straightforward. It becomes more complicated when you try and interpret the significance of individual games with respect to our recovery. There is room for a lot of argument over how much City's comprehensive Derby win reflects on how well we played, and how bad Utd played. We are likely going to experience a lot of variability in match by match results but I believe City are now in recovery.

The signing of Donnarumma is going to be very significant. And if you add improving players like Doku and Bobb, and recovering players such as Stones and Rodri, then we should improve on last season's 71 points / 3rd place.
 
Some people have argued that football has changed and moved on, and that Pep is hopelessly lost. I think this is nonsense. A pessimistic view on City is valid if you believe that Rodri's game will be permanently affected by injury, or that you believe new signings like Khusanov, Marmoush, Reijnders, Cherki etc are sub-standard. I believe in them. I also believe in players like Echeverri.

One might also argue that City could have done more in the transfer market. Out investment was lower in net value terms than Liverpool and Arsenal for example.

Another point is that there are sides emerging like Chelsea and Spurs who may make the Premier League tougher. It is difficult to assess City let alone Chelsea and Spurs but having seem Spurs I think their defence is exceptional. They should be in the top 6 at least this season.
 
Not too worried about Napoli, if I’m honest. Strong side in Serie A terms, but they’re off the level needed to deal with a top 6 EPL clubs

Reckon it’ll actually be a more comfortable watch than Spurs the other night, who pressed us properly and made it a bit of a scrap. Napoli won’t play like that – they'll give us more space, which suits us down to the ground. Could be the perfect game for someone like Reijnders to shine, if he starts – he thrives in these more technical, open games.

Just need to stay switched on at the back and we’ll have too much for them
 
TurboDuo said:
Not too worried about Napoli, if I’m honest. Strong side in Serie A terms, but they’re off the level needed to deal with a top 6 EPL clubs

Reckon it’ll actually be a more comfortable watch than Spurs the other night, who pressed us properly and made it a bit of a scrap. Napoli won’t play like that – they'll give us more space, which suits us down to the ground. Could be the perfect game for someone like Reijnders to shine, if he starts – he thrives in these more technical, open games.

Just need to stay switched on at the back and we’ll have too much for them
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I wouldn't underestimate Italian teams but the level of sustained pressing that City can offer, at least in the first half, is something that's absent in Serie A.

So, I expect that we'll try to overwhelm them in the first 20 minutes and score, then try to control the game and punish them with counters.
 
TurboDuo said:
Could be the perfect game for someone like Reijnders to shine, if he starts – he thrives in these more technical, open games.
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What, the player voted 'Best Midfielder in Serie A 24/25' might do well against Napoli?

Whatever gives you that idea? :-)
 
alexmcity said:
I wouldn't underestimate Italian teams but the level of sustained pressing that City can offer, at least in the first half, is something that's absent in Serie A.

So, I expect that we'll try to overwhelm them in the first 20 minutes and score, then try to control the game and punish them with counters.
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Hope you're right - I can't visualise a situation where you are simultaneously controlling a game and counter attacking, though?
 
Can anyone help (fucking website!) - my son is on the direct debit scheme 18 to 21, my brother is on my son’s family and friends (over 65), when I try and transfer the ticket from my son to his uncle it says not not all tickets were matched successfully, I assume this is because my lad is 18 to 21 and I show my brother as over 65 (which he is) but if this is the problem I can’t show my brother as being 18 to 21? Anyone had this problem? Our website and ticketing has been abysmal for decades. Bern on hold for 40 mins so far

Edit I assume transferring the ticket to family and friends is allowed?
 
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