Napoli post-match thread

[Bewar3them00n]

Big test for us, against a very good side, in previous years, the step up to CL has caught us flat footed against the big teams, and we've had to spend the whole game chasing, this time we started on fire, and should've put atleast 3 away while on top.
Full credit to Napoli, who are also on fire this season for coming back and pushing us all the way, but credit to the boys for seeing the game out, another win, a bloodied nose, some vital lessons learned. Keep on keeping on!

 

[bondsman]

Brilliant performance given the quality of opponents. We should have been 4 up at half time. Reina made some excellent saves. We have a real backbone as proven by us not panicking when they upped their tempo. Well done boys

 

[Andrew___K]

You don't honestly believe he means that???

The first 30 minutes Napoli were about to get a good hiding, yes they improved, which is to be expected from such a proficient team, however but for a few inches it could of been 4 before half time..

Well, I expected such flow of the game and expected us to win - you can find my fairly confident prediction in a pre-match thread.
What took me by surprise is how easily they were cutting through our midfield evading the press when the score was 2-0. As the way they were doing it.

As for Pep's words - he rarely uses 'mind games' and usually talks pretty straight what he thinks. Sometimes it sounds awkward - remember his unnecessary remarks about City being smal club etc.? So I think he means exactly what he's saying, and I myself have never seen a team so good in build-up as Napoli. I've watched all Pepcelona's games, some of them numerous times and mind you, even Xavi-Iniesta-Busi midfield weren't so good and spectacular in that particular aspect - with all the quality they possessed. If you consider the quality of Napoli mids, you understand that we're witnessing something really special. I've watched their players occasionally for ages and would laugh if someone would tell me 3 years ago that Hamsik, Callejon or Maggio are worldclass players. It's the coach and the system that has lifted their level.

So, I think Pep's compliments are genuine.

 

[Phil1]

I knew the ref was going to be at it when he blew up for a foul early on when KDB got a foot go the ball and it fell to Jesus who was through on goal.

 

[typicalcity...]

A little unlucky with KdB hitting the bar and not going in, and then the other chance that sat on the line. Had those gone in it would have been another battering, but this ref must have given Napoli a lot of belief that they could get something out of it. I've no idea what the first pen was for and the fact that defenders and attackers looked totally bemused as to what he'd awarded, and the second one the guy went looking for a foot to trip over. Every 50-50 he gave to them. The most laughable was D Silva jumping with someone where both went for the ball, Silva ends up with a bandage on his head and Napoli end up with the free kick. The guy strutted about the field like some kind of egocentric peacock. Was it the same guy who booked Sergio for simulation in the Monaco game last season when he was totally cleaned out for the most blatant pen of our CL campaign. He was putrid in that game if it were he, and he has morphed into execrable in the meantime.

Yes it was same referee Monaco game

 

[Burtonblue]

Should have been out of site after 30 mins but full credit to Napoli for coming back.
They will not be looking forward to playing us again.

 

[ono]

As an aside, the referee was a borderline cheat. Gave them almost everything. The one in the first 10 minutes were De Bruyne got whistled when he stabbed the ball through on goal for Jesus. Cost us a probable goal. Went largely unnoticed due to us scoring two quick goals but was pretty bad.

 

[Yates]

Napoli are a fantastic side and we pretty much restricted them to 3 clear cut chances with 2 being penalties and one coming from a mistake allowing Hamsik an open shot at goal. Stones, Otamendi, Fernadinho and Ederson were fantastic. Ederson is fantastic at sweeping up in behind the defence.

 

[Ric]

I knew the ref was going to be at it when he blew up for a foul early on when KDB got a foot go the ball and it fell to Jesus who was through on goal.

Yes, that was a poor decision that cost us a goal scoring opportunity.

 

[Bluep*ss]

As I see it.All teams have 3 games left to play. City 2 away games and Feyenord at home. Lose the 2 away ? - and beat Feyenord at home = 12 points.
Shaktar have 6 points - could end up with 15 points. Napoli have 3 points - could end up with 12 points. Then it would depend - imo - on the better result
of City (home 2-1). If Napoli win 2-0 they go through on better head to head.
Does goal difference play any part in this ?.