Manchester City endured a frustrating start to their Champions League campaign at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening against Napoli although many positives can be taken despite the result. City started with an attacking lineup, using Kolorov and Zabaletta in the defensive back positions while choosing to play Nasri, Silva Dzeko and Aguero on the pitch from the first whistle. City also welcomed Gareth Barry back who had been out since sustaining injury while away on International duty.
It was to be the home team, supported by a boisterous home crowd that dominated the early going. Nasri looked lively, shooting just wide right of the visitors goal. Despite the pressure from City, it was always a danger, with the talents of Hamsik, Lavezzi and Cavani that they would be caught on the counter attack. It was one of these quick breakaways which resulted in an Ezequiel Lavezzi curling effort that had Joe Hart beat all ends up only to bounce back off the crossbar.
The story of the first half continued to be one of frustration for City fans as wave upon wave of attack fizzled out with one pass too many in the final third, a shot off target or in the case of Toure, a shot against the crossbar. As half time arrived, it was still goalless and you started to wonder what City had to do to score.
The second half started with neither coach making any changes and in the same fashion, the game continued the same: City piling forward and exerting pressure in the final third to no avail. Just before the hour mark, Napoli made their first substitution and within 10 minutes, the visitors were ahead. Again, as if it hadn’t been a warning in the first half, City were exposed on the counter attack. Napoli had a man over but decided not to use him, instead Maggio put the ball forward to Cavani who shot low, under Hart and into the City net.
City restarted the game and kept on pumping balls forward toward the Napoli goal. Five minutes later, Zabaletta was fouled just outside the area and a free kick was awarded. Despite having Aguero, Nasri and Silva on the pitch, it was a defender who stepped up and it was the defender who scored. Kolarov lifted the ball over the wall and down to the bottom right corner to level up the match. It was after his celebrations that both he and Nasri were substituted for Clichy and Adam Johnson to his obvious frustration. With Johnson now on the pitch, City had more width and attacks came thick and fast, Dzeko and Johnson himself going close within four minutes of leveling. Dzeko was then replaced by Tevez to mark Mancini’s last throw of the dice and although he drove forward in the dying minutes and forced a corner when it looked like nothing else was on, City were ultimately going to have to settle for a share of the points.
Mancini and City fans will have questions about how a side can be at home, with the attacking quality they have and with 24 attempts only convert the single one. Another note of concern is how easily City were countered on. With almost 60 percent of the possession, it is worrying how that wasn’t converted into more goals. On the positive side, it is a difficult group and City’s first Champions League game ever. To get through it relatively unharmed is good and I am sure their confidence will grow as they progress through. Certainly, they will have to right the wrongs for the trip to Munich in two weeks to face now table toppers Bayern on their own turf.
It was to be the home team, supported by a boisterous home crowd that dominated the early going. Nasri looked lively, shooting just wide right of the visitors goal. Despite the pressure from City, it was always a danger, with the talents of Hamsik, Lavezzi and Cavani that they would be caught on the counter attack. It was one of these quick breakaways which resulted in an Ezequiel Lavezzi curling effort that had Joe Hart beat all ends up only to bounce back off the crossbar.
The story of the first half continued to be one of frustration for City fans as wave upon wave of attack fizzled out with one pass too many in the final third, a shot off target or in the case of Toure, a shot against the crossbar. As half time arrived, it was still goalless and you started to wonder what City had to do to score.
The second half started with neither coach making any changes and in the same fashion, the game continued the same: City piling forward and exerting pressure in the final third to no avail. Just before the hour mark, Napoli made their first substitution and within 10 minutes, the visitors were ahead. Again, as if it hadn’t been a warning in the first half, City were exposed on the counter attack. Napoli had a man over but decided not to use him, instead Maggio put the ball forward to Cavani who shot low, under Hart and into the City net.
City restarted the game and kept on pumping balls forward toward the Napoli goal. Five minutes later, Zabaletta was fouled just outside the area and a free kick was awarded. Despite having Aguero, Nasri and Silva on the pitch, it was a defender who stepped up and it was the defender who scored. Kolarov lifted the ball over the wall and down to the bottom right corner to level up the match. It was after his celebrations that both he and Nasri were substituted for Clichy and Adam Johnson to his obvious frustration. With Johnson now on the pitch, City had more width and attacks came thick and fast, Dzeko and Johnson himself going close within four minutes of leveling. Dzeko was then replaced by Tevez to mark Mancini’s last throw of the dice and although he drove forward in the dying minutes and forced a corner when it looked like nothing else was on, City were ultimately going to have to settle for a share of the points.
Mancini and City fans will have questions about how a side can be at home, with the attacking quality they have and with 24 attempts only convert the single one. Another note of concern is how easily City were countered on. With almost 60 percent of the possession, it is worrying how that wasn’t converted into more goals. On the positive side, it is a difficult group and City’s first Champions League game ever. To get through it relatively unharmed is good and I am sure their confidence will grow as they progress through. Certainly, they will have to right the wrongs for the trip to Munich in two weeks to face now table toppers Bayern on their own turf.
No comments:
Post a Comment