Manchester City secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday with a win away to Napoli.
Pep Guardiola‘s side were 4-2 winners against the Serie A outfit, their fourth victory out of four in Group F confirming their progress.
Here’s what we learned from the encounter.
The hosts began the game on top and were the dominant side for the first 20 minutes or so. While they were superb in possession and played some great passing moves, their high-press was most effective in disarming City.
Maurizio Sarri’s side set up with a high defensive line and pressed up the pitch, making it difficult for the visitors to play out from the back and forced them into errors. When City did manage to make their way forward, Napoli were quick to launch counter-attacks.
Their quick transition led to the opening goal when Dries Mertens’ deft touch played Insigne in who curled a delightful finish into the far corner.
As the game progressed, City did settle in possession but were still caught out on the odd occasion. It’s a ploy the Citizens’ upcoming opponents will take note of.
Neither David nor Bernardo Silva started the game. Instead, Pep Guardiola opted for the pace and dynamism of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane and the decision paid dividends.
City were afforded the option to be more direct with either winger driving at the opposition’s defence and it came in handy once they were chasing the game. After being dominated for the first 20 minutes, the Premier League outfit must be commended for the way they played their way back into the encounter.
Headers from Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones put them ahead before Napoli drew level from the spot. They were kept their heads and showed character then to regain the lead. City’s pace was put to great effect in a brilliant counter-attack which was finished off by a clinical Sergio Aguero before Sterling wrapped up the points in stoppage time.
Despite being dropped for Gabriel Jesus last season, Guardiola clearly appreciates Aguero’s quality and did well to hold on to him in the summer. He’s used the two South American strikers in tandem this season and has been largely successful.
Against Napoli, Aguero was a constant threat and led the line with aplomb, dropping off, peeling wide and running in behind. He started off a move in the 33rd minute with a superb lay-off and nearly finished it off but for his shot from the top of the box being deflected just wide.
His diving header went wide of the post a few minutes before half-time as well but he got his goal in the 69th minute to put City ahead 3-2. In doing so, he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with his 178th strike, reiterating his value to the team.
Sergio Aguero
