MANCITYZENS
Manchester City cruise past ten-man Napoli
Manchester City were comfortable 2-0 winners in their first Champions League game of the season against Napoli.
The Serie A champions went down to ten men after Di Lorenzo was sent off after just 20 minutes.
City struggled to create many clear cut chances in the first half but continued to probe and found the opening goal through Erling Haaland. That was followed up by a wonderful solo goal by Jeremy Doku with just over twenty minutes to go.
Haaland breaks another record
After scoring against Napoli, Erling Haaland became the fastest to score 50 Champions League goals, needing just 49 appearances to do so.
The previous record was held by Ruud Van Nistlerooy who took 62 appearances to reach the half century mark in Europe's most prestige competition.
The goal itself involved three of City's key players as Rodri found Phil Foden who flicked it in behind and it just needed a deft header over the keeper from the Norwegian to open the scoring for the blues.
Our #UCL campaign begins with a win! đ€©
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 18, 2025
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A short homecoming
Kevin De Bruyne returned to the Etihad for the first time since he left the club in June and started the game in Napoli's midfield.
But after Di Lorenzo was sent off, the Belgian midfielder was subbed off and so it wasn't quite the comeback which he would've been hoping for.
He watched on from the bench as his new side struggled to create anything against a City side which dominated the majority of the game.
The standout individuals
Jeremy Doku followed up his impressive derby performance with a solo goal which put the game to bed for his side.
He was substituted not long after to a standing ovation and was replaced by Savinho who is looking to get back to full fitness after missing the first month of the season.
Phil Foden was given the Man of the Match award after shining for the second game in a row. He provided the assist for the opener and created eight chances in total, the most by a City player since Kevin De Bruyne in 2020.
Two games. Two clean sheets đ§€
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 18, 2025
â @donnarumma pic.twitter.com/CoyTGX5UTB
Arsenal next
After beating Manchester United and Napoli, City travel to the Emirates to play Arsenal on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola's side have looked much more like themselves in these past two and will be hoping to continue that form and take it with them down to North London.
The Manchester City manager spoke after the game about what he feels has changed since the international break.
"The team, in the last two games, has taken another feeling; composure defensively and offensively, our body language is unbelievably good. I'm very pleased. Going there [Arsenal] with these feelings is much better!"
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