Napoli post-match thread

[bulldogblue]

First 35 minutes WOW! Then we seemed to turn off and in the second half a lot of our passes were lazy or not as crisp as earlier on. Napoli sensed the situation and then played some great football themselves pressing very high to cause problems and force mistakes. Great win.

 

[Ric]

Think it would've been very different if we'd bagged the third when we were all over them, but fair play to Napoli. They're a very good side, and gave us our sternest test of the season. We won though, and that's all that matters. The away tie will be an extremely tough game mind you.

 

[goatersnipple]

Lets remember were city fans not armchair pricks.
Weve just beat a very good side and have 9 points out of 9.
Get a grip blues

 

[Chi-town blues]

Team looks lethargic. Need some fresh legs on Saturday.
Top class football.

 

[Blue Llama]

Great win and its clear some players need a rest but sloppy defending giving 2 unnecessary pens away.

 

[Chippy_boy]

As the initial response was to a poster who never has a good word to say about City and would undoubtedly have rejoiced had they won, its not criticism, it's moaning.
Saying they contributed to Napoli getting back into the game, could have been a bit more clinical and sometimes took, what looks to many of us old timers like some unnecessary risks, is fair enough. "Got away with, subs too late, tired only 2 games into a run of 7, we can't win over there and Burnley and everyone will be exploiting what they've seen tonight" is moaning...

Fair enough. I just get a bit tired of not being able to say boo without someone implying you're a lesser blue. But reading it again, fair enough.

 

[bellsouth]

Napoli were very good but we still had plenty of chances and some better final balls would have seen a big score.
Important to win and keep the momentum going as that’s now 10 straight wins all comps.

 

[The slaughtered lamb]

We also messed up a number of counter attacks.

Yes we did. People tend to forget this but it's the same as missing a chance really. We have to keep creating and taking those opportunities. It showed fatigue, so I hope the manager rotates a bit at the weekend and for the league cup. Still a good performance.

 

[waspish]

Thought Sterling vanished for a lot of that game, perhaps he was told to stay out wide ? correct decision to sub him for me he wasn't in the game.

Correct and why Sane stayed on because he might of lost the ball a few times but he kept at it for 95mins.

 

[ono]

Some great, some good and some poor tonight. First 30 minutes was exquisite again. Actually looked like we were playing a lower league team such was the gulf. Then they changed their press slightly and off the back of that managed to force a few mistakes and took us out of our flow. On top of that, when we did beat the press we delayed making the right pass (Sane for Jesus for example in the first half when he was clean through) or simply misplaced the pass. Such small details that make the world of difference, especially in games against the best form team in Europe.

Second half turned into a different kind of game. Think we were fairly content at 2-0 to play on the counter slightly, and again had two moments between 45-50 to get in on goal but misplaced the pass (Sterling cross for Jesus and Sane down the left).

Even though we were heavily pressured, I'm glad we continued to play out as it will serve us well. It did almost cost us at one point when Dinho had a bad touch , and from then on, he was very poor (excellent first half).

Walker and Delph had a few bad moments throughout - Walker was shocking for their penalty and Delph misplaced a few passes which lead to counters. Walker is starting to worry me a little actually with his concentration. Silva started to look a little bit careless at times but had good moments. Sane was in a world of his own. Absolutely appalling although he picked up at the 75 mark and finished the game well. He won't play that badly again I don't think.

All in all though, I thought we were good. We have been spoilt by our league form really and we are in a weird place where we feel like we have to justify why we only won 2-1 against one of Europe's best teams.

Stones and Otamendi were excellent and are starting to strike up an understanding. Ederson is outstanding. Absolutely outstanding. His passing is insane.

My biggest takeaway from the game is how remarkable it is that Pep has taught a defensive unit which includes 3 English players how to play around a very heavy press with a composure which I didn't think they possessed. The angles they create is outstanding and will surely continue to improve.

We have now played 4 very good sides, have beaten all 4 and still haven't conceded from open play against any of them. What he's achieved with this side is remarkable given that only 4 of tonight's starters were actually he's signings is crazy.