Manchester City started their UEFA Champions League campaign in style with a 6-0 victory. They went on to beat 10-man Napoli 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. City’s Erling Haaland had a legendary performance in the match. This was his 50th goal in the Champions League, an incredible milestone achieved in just 49 games. Despite all that, Haaland did this stunning feat in 13 less games than the legendary Ruud van Nistelrooy. This puts him among the top five most prolific scorers in the competition’s history.
Haaland has proven to the world his magnificent goalscoring prowess this campaign. Incredibly, he racked up a whopping 12 goals in his mere seven appearances with his club and country combined. His most recent was in the opener of SNY’s Champions Cup against Napoli. With a brilliant scooped pass from Phil Foden, he scored an exquisite headed goal. The target beyond showcasing his technical talent, for that matter, reinforced his value to Manchester City’s attacking engine.
A Dominant Display
From the beginning, Manchester City ran the field and proved to be much the better tactical side. Haaland, Phil Foden, and Jeremy Doku were absolutely critical to the performances City put in on the pitch. Claudio and Jakub picked up where they left off in the thrilling Manchester derby a few days prior. Foden in particular was impressive, taking home the player of the match honors for his showing.
Having opened the scoring for City, Haaland turned provider as he released Jeremy Doku, who scored City’s second goal soon after, giving City a commanding grip on the match. Doku’s running and technique meant he left Napoli’s defence in his wake. With extraordinary calm and coolness, he scored the game-winner.
Those numbers say so much about Haaland’s detrimental effect on City this season. Since joining the club last year, he has put down 130 goals in 151 appearances in all competitions. At the Etihad Stadium he’s been particularly ruthless, scoring 74 goals across only 71 matches. This kind of efficiency still puts him among the elite strikers in European soccer today.
Napoli’s Struggles
Napoli found themselves fighting an uphill battle as a red card would hand them a death sentence, reducing Napoli to ten men early in the match. The scenario compounded their task of the day and made it that much harder for them to stop City’s lethal attacking options. How difficult it is to play against City was summed up by Napoli’s coach Antonio Conte, who said,
“It’s already difficult to play against Manchester City, 11 vs 11. After 20 minutes it was impossible.” – Antonio Conte
Conte admitted that regardless of their overall first-choice squad, no club would have fared well against the summer acquisition-heavy City’s ceaseless barrage. He credited his team’s defensive shape but indicated there still needs to be work done in defending the goals they’ve given up.
Defensively, Napoli were a tough side for parts of the match, but they ultimately fell to City’s offensive brilliancy. Conte hit out at his players’ dedication and application, stating,
“Defensively we were really good and the two goals I think that we can do much better, but I don’t have anything to tell to my players because the commitment, the attitude was good.” – Antonio Conte
He dreamt of how the game would’ve gone if they had remained 11-on-11. He added, with characteristic humility, that he thought a better outcome was possible.
Looking Ahead
As Manchester City continues its Champions League campaign, the focus will be on maintaining momentum and building on their strong start. With Haaland leading their line, City certainly look like a team that has what it takes to contend for a treble – or even quadruple – of glory again. His goalscoring instincts really do bedazzle, stars in his eyes given the ample support from figures including Foden and Doku. Combined, they provide City with a tremendous competitive edge.
Leave a Reply