Erling Haaland broke another record and Jeremy Doku scored a stunning solo goal as Manchester City got their Champions League campaign off to a good start on Thursday night. To compound the Italian side’s misery, they had to play much of the fixture with ten men after captain Giovanni di Lorenzo was sent off for a last-man foul on Haaland.
Haaland’s goal in the 56th minute, created by a great pass by Phil Foden, was the striker’s 50th Champions League goal, become the fastest ever player in the competition
to reach that landmark after just 49 games. But it was a miserable return to the Etihad Stadium for midfield maestro Kevin de Bruyne, who was sacrificed by manager Antonio Conte in the 26th minute following di Lorenzo’s dismissal.
Much was made about the Talismanic Belgian’s quick return to Manchester, with de Bruyne ending his ten-year stay with the club, joining the Italian champions on a free transfer during the summer. There was a feeling that de Bruyne may come back to haunt the Blues, considering that it wasn’t his decision to leave the club, but any hopes of a de Bruyne-inspired victory disappeared following the red card.
Di Lorenzo completely misjudged a pass forward and Haaland was about to run clear until the Napoli captain stuck out a leg and took out the Norwegian rather than the ball. Initially, the referee waved all protests away, but was then told by VAR to look at the pitchside monitor, subsequently dismissing the skipper for a professional foul.
That led the way for de Bruyne, who had received a warm welcome from the City fans, to make his exit as he was replaced by Mathias Olivera. It was a sad exit for the Belgian, who is still revered by the faithful, which was firmly demonstrated as a standing ovation from the City fans, coupled with a few rounds of ‘ohhh Kevin de Bruyne’ filled the stadium.
City, already in control, took the game fully to Napoli and only the heroics of keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic produced an inspired display to deny City on too many occasions. Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden and Rodri were all denied, whilst the Serbian also stopped Nico O’Reilly and Ruben Dias from getting a goal each. And when a Reijnders shot was deflected towards goal, the Serbian somehow managed to claw it back from the goalline.
Memories of last season, when the Blues failed to get a win against Inter Milan in their opening Champions League match, resurfaced as City went in level at the break, but the second half would produce a magical display that fully justified the result.
First, Foden spun on the ball and picked out Haaland with a superb pass over the defence, and the Norwegian provided a deft header over the keeper to finally break the deadlock. It was Haaland’s 50th goal in the Champions League in just 49 games, beating Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous record by 13 games.
Nine minutes later, City made it 2-0 thanks to a revitalised Doku, who took on half of the Napoli defence before beating Milinkovic-Savic. Receiving the ball just outside the area, Doku spun, taking out two players, before jinking into the area, gliding effortlessly past another two, then nutmegging the keeper to secure the points for City.
It was a richly deserved victory for the Blues, and the focus will now switch to Sunday and a titanic clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Final Score: Manchester City 2-0 Napoli
