Manchester City expected Napoli to be formidable opponents in their Champions League opener tonight, but the reality was very different.
What looked like a heavyweight contest quickly became a reminder of just how far ahead Pep Guardiola’s side remains when the margins swing their way.
Erling Braut Haaland’s numbers speak for themselves. Fifty Champions League goals in 49 appearances is an astonishing tally.
It is a record that obliterates Ruud van Nistelrooy’s old benchmark and underlines why City rarely panic when matches are tight.
Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic denied Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden and Rodri with saves that had fans murmuring in disbelief. Yet the outcome never truly felt in doubt with Haaland lurking.
The turning point came when Giovanni Di Lorenzo was sent off for hauling Haaland down midway through the first half. That moment effectively ended Napoli’s hope of competing as equals.
Antonio Conte’s plan to frustrate City collapsed, and Kevin De Bruyne’s enforced substitution after only 26 minutes added a layer of irony.
The Belgian, once adored here, trudged off as the crowd serenaded him, and Napoli were left exposed without their captain.
Guardiola’s players pushed Napoli back, circulating the ball with patience before unleashing waves of attacks. Milinkovic-Savic kept the scoreline respectable.
When Foden finally clipped the perfect pass into Haaland’s stride, the finish was inevitable. The roar inside the stadium carried a sense of relief more than surprise.
Jeremy Doku’s dazzling second goal confirmed what had been evident for some time – City were in cruise control.
For Napoli, the return of familiar faces offered no comfort. Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund, back in Manchester in different colours, could do little as passengers in a side reduced to survival mode.
Conte’s pre-match talk of pupils versus tutors felt painfully accurate once the red card tilted the balance.
City’s dominance was not just about goals but control. Gianluigi Donnarumma barely had to make a save, while Rodri dictated with calm assurance.
A 2-0 score flattered Napoli, given the one-way traffic and the 16-1 shot count in the first half alone.
Napoli were brushed aside, and Haaland once again looked like a man chasing records that only he can reach.
