Debut with defeat for Napoli in the Champions League. The expulsion of Di Lorenzo, the surprise replacement of De Bruyne and the domain of Manchester City: to be competitive in Europe it serves more
Napoli’s adventure in Europe that counts begins with the wrong step. A clear defeat in Manchester in the Guardiola house, a match conditioned by a numerical inferiority of over an hour but which still offers food for thought. In the Champions League, the heart is not enough and the willingness to resist even, even if you are ten and the opponent takes possession of the partzia of the game and your half.
The Italian champions suffered from start to finish. One datum photographed him: at the time of Lorenzo’s red (minute 21, called VAR for foul on a clear opportunity from the net to stop Haaland), the City had already pulled 6 times towards the door of Milinkovic Savic, spread its network of steps (possession of the ball 69%) and began to widen the defense of the Neapolitans. Of course, the number one protagonist had been Donnarumma with a providential intervention almost on the goal line, but the plot of the game had already taken a decisive turn.
Outside De Bruyne, courageous choice and champion response
Then the second game began and there was no more space for Napoli. The networks of Haaland and Doku at the beginning of the second half seemed almost a liberation, a natural consequence for a fort raised in the emergency and that could not be held to the end Without being accompanied by some attempt to leave to lighten the pressure.
Manchester City-Napoli will remain in the history of this season, however, for another image: that of Kevin de Bruyne replaced by Conte to put things in defense in place after the expulsion of the captain. De Bruyne who returned to Manchester after ten years as a phenomenon, expected and applauded by his former fans, elected spiritual guidance by the new companions.
Conte could not do anything else, looking at the characteristics of his left on the pitch, but the choice was still courageous. De Bruyne did not ignore: he lowered his head and came out, in silence, without making any problems for his coach. A reaction from absolute champion, leader without raising his voice in the locker room. If a confirmation was needed, assuming that it served, here it is.
The final statistics of Manchester City-Napoli
The statistical photography of the match was merciless, mortifying excess despite the numerical inferiority. Guardiola’s City started almost alone: 74% of the ball possession, 23 shots towards the door of Milinkovic Savic (against one of Napoli), of which 8 (one) inside the mirror. And then 40 balls touched inside the opponent’s penalty area where the Neapolitans have practically never arrived (6)
Champions League, intact qualifying chance for Napoli
The defeat weighs for the way it has matured, but the truth is that it does not compromise the journey of Napoli in the Champions League. Manchester’s was the most difficult climb of the whole first phase, the rest looks like a long false area with some descent and another mountain grain in the end, at Maradona against Chelsea. Just take a look at the calendar to continue to keep 16 points in the sights, those that are used to enter the magnificent eight and skip the February playoffs.
Disappointed disappointment, There will be room to relaunch the European ambitions of a team built to arrive in the magnificent eightDespite De Laurentiis, he expressed himself with great prudence by aligning himself with Conte’s thought. Sporting Lisbon, Eintracht Frankfurt and Qarabag at home with a trip against PSV, Benfica and Copenhagen before closing with Chelsea. In short, there is no room to cry on me, it simply needs something more than the heart and courage to put in place.
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