The challenge Manchester City-Naples, one of those that promised to be among the most beautiful of the first phase of the Champions League, is confirmed as such and the British win by a Pep Guardiola who proves even the most skeptical, to be able to shape the his team as they say "in his image and likeness". Wins thanks above all to a first half hour played at great pace and the concreteness of a game that at times enchants but also wins thanks to the ability to know how to suffer shown in the second half, when Napoli remembers being the leader of our series anyway A and opposes a resistance and a counteroffensive worthy of the great team that is. The men of Sarri prove to be able to put in trouble the citizens, as will admit in the after race also Guardiola, and as nobody had managed to do before, leaving the Etihad Stadium, defeated with the slightest gap but very high head and if we want with some regrets.
The first time the hosts cover the perfection and would be study material to show in football schools. We used the word "rasenta" because the quality and quantity of game product would deserve something more than the important two goals scored and also for the defensive defeat that resulted in the end of the first 45 minutes at the grant of a kick of penalty for Napoli, then mistaken by Mertens, who could have reopened ahead of a game that later in the second half the partenopees sustained on the occasion by almost 3000 fans following, had the merit of re-igniting.
The two citizens' networks carry Sterling's signature at the 9º minute, taking advantage of a short kick of Koulibaly and bagging behind Reina, is that of Jesus that at 13º hits a low cross from De Bruyne on the right. At 25º there would be a good chance for tris, but De Bruyne's end breaks on the crossbar. Three minutes later, Koulibaly performed the miracle, rejecting a line from Jesus on the line. Manchester City plays on velvet and in some moments his ball possession reminds us of the best Barcelona in Guardiola.
The second part of the game looks like another race. Napoli has proven to be a bit more than the dough-nosed team in the first half. He plays a lot more personality and attacks with the order that distinguishes his game in our league. Insigne's injury is almost a benefit to the Sarri band, as it allows Allan to add the muscles to the center of the field. At 28º the referee whistles a second penalty for Napoli on the floppy disk this time there are those who do not expect you, that is, the 1997 class Diawara who, unlike his partner, fails to miss the opportunity and shortens the distances. There would still be 20 minutes to complete the work, but the "wonderful creature" labeled Guardiola proves to be great even under the pressure of a Napoli who does not demerite but who has to surrender to an opponent that to date probably represents the team to beat of this Chmpions League.
GB
Photo: calciomercato.com