At the start of the season, people were excited about the Champions League and the many great matchups it had. Games such as PSG vs. Bayern Munich, Spurs vs. Real Madrid, Barcelona vs. Juventus, and Chelsea vs. Atletico Madrid had football fans everywhere thrilled, but, as bizarre as it sounds, one of the best games of the Champions League will be Manchester City vs Napoli [VIDEO]. After 8 league games, both teams sit happily in first place, undefeated.
Background
After a solid start for Sarri, Napoli’s manager, it seems he has raised the bar even higher.
Playing a game of possession with high pressure, Sarri’s team has managed to score 3+ goals in every league game this season (except vs. Roma).
Underrated players such as Hamsik and Koulibaly help put pressure on the opponents while still feeding passes to their attack. Mertens, Callejon, and Insigne have also been in amazing form, combining for 14 goals and eight assists amongst the three of them. Since the start of the season, Napoli have played a total of 12 games, only dropping points once against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. In Serie A, they have won their eight games, including against Roma and Lazio away from home. Napoli have scored 34 goals in 12 games, while only conceding eight.
Napoli will be missing Milik, who has been out since September after rupturing his cruciate ligament.
It’s all finally clicking for Guardiola. After he was appointed manager last year, fans were left disappointed when manchester city finished without a trophy, and third in the league.
They were also skeptical during the transfer window, where Guardiola spent $250 million pounds on eight players (most of them being defenders).
All those doubts have now vanished, after Manchester City abolished Stoke City 7-2 in a performance that was reminiscent of Guardiola’s Barcelona team in 2009-2010 (considered by many as one of the best squads of all-time). All seven goals that Manchester City scored were beautiful, because of the brilliant tiki taka that preceded them.
In the Premier League statistics, Man City players are dominating left and right. Aguero, Jesus, and Sterling are all tied for second top scorer with six goals (only losing to Lukaku who is at seven), David Silva (6) and De Bruyne (5) are first and second in terms of the most assists, while Otamendi (667) and Fernandinho (663) lead with the most passes.
Although he isn’t a top scorer or top assister, De Bruyne has proven himself as not only the best player for Manchester City, but possibly the best in the league. Setting up most of the goals with excellent passing and dribbling, De Bruyne has become Man City’s special gem. Man City has played 11 games, remaining undefeated (with one draw vs.
Everton). In those 11 games, they have scored an insane 37 goals while only conceding 5. Manchester City will be without left-back Mendy following his injury in September. Aguero might be back to play, as he is recovering from his car crash in Amsterdam.
Although both Napoli and Manchester City have been in incredible form, Man City have been slightly better, scoring more and conceding less. Playing at home will be another huge advantage.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1.
