Manchester City cruised to victory over ten-man Napoli on Kevin de Bruyne’s brief Etihad Stadium comeback.
The former City captain’s homecoming appearance lasted just 26 minutes, as he was sacrificed for Matheus Oliveira due to Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s red card.
Erling Haaland’s 50th UEFA Champions League goal and a fine individual effort from Jeremy Doku ended up being the difference between the two sides, as Antonio Conte’s men sat deep and prioritised damage limitation after the red
card.
Here are three things we learned from victory on opening night in Europe:
The left hand side are making themselves undroppable
It was always going to take something special to break down a super strong Napoli defence, and when they did, it was exactly that provided by Phil Foden and Doku.
Foden’s beautiful chip and Haaland’s well weighted header were both inch perfect, and it was clear as soon as City broke the deadlock Napoli’s heads dropped as they knew they didn’t have the offensive presence on the pitch to get back into the game.
But it was Doku’s drop of the shoulder, burst into the box and finish that was truly remarkable.
For the second big match in a row, he’s had a very good game, and is finally starting to show what he has to offer in terms of end product.
I also think he pairs very well with Nico O’Reilly, who for me is much more comfortable at left back than he is in central midfield.
O’Reilly can provide width down the left or tuck inside, and he has an excellent on pitch relationship with Doku as they interchange throughout the game.
Against the Italian champions, O’Reilly was most useful in the middle, as his physicality in the box gave City more of a central attacking presence.
I was previously of the opinion that O’Reilly should make way for John Stones or Nathan Ake with Josko Gvardiol moving to left back against Arsenal, but it now would seem unbelievably harsh to drop him at the Emirates on Sunday.
Gvardiol is a difference maker
Things at times last season weren’t great for City – but just imagine how much worse they’d have been without Josko Gvardiol.
At times he was the only fit centre back, holding the fort and playing on when everyone else was out injured.
And now that he’s in a functioning backline with O’Reilly, Ruben Dias and Abdukodir Khusanov, we’re seeing just how brilliant he really is.
The Croatian centre back is super good on the ball, an aerial threat from set pieces and reads the game exceptionally well.
Unlike the vast majority of centre backs he’s also comfortable playing as an out and out attacking full backs, and even with cutting inside on his weak right foot and shooting from the edge of the box.
At just 23 years old, he’s got plenty of room to grow and will undoubtedly be a member of the spine of this team for years to come.
City can take Arsenal on this weekend
After their last two games, where City have been completely dominant in games they were expected to struggle in, Pep Guardiola’s side can now go into the game against Arsenal with more confidence.
The Gunners have started the season pretty well, and have clearly improved their weaknesses with excellent signings such as Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.
But City have Rodri, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland in their positions, who are all superior to the players Arsenal have signed.
Khusanov is an excellent short term right back option, Gianluigi Donnarumma has been an amazing signing, Tijjani Reijnders has shown glimpses of quality and is obviously a fantastic player, and this is with Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri Mateo Kovacic and Rayan Cherki all out injured.
Call it delusion – but I think City can now go into that game knowing getting three points is absolutely feasible. Arsenal’s home advantage probably means they’re still the favourites, but City will be confident and when they’re in the mood, they’re very tricky to stop.
