Tuesday Gossip

by Caroline Oatway@Roline_MCFC

Media Watch: ‘The clash of Europe’s best’


Champions League football returns to the Etihad Stadium tonight and what a game we have in prospect…

A rampant City host an equally in-form Napoli side, who have a perfect record in Serie A, having won all eight of their domestic matches, boasting a positive goal difference of 21.

With both sides in red-hot goalscoring form, it’s a mouthwatering and eagerly-anticipated encounter. In fact, Eurosport have dubbed it ‘the clash of Europe’s best.’

They preview the game in video form, captioned: “Napoli have won 13 consecutive games in the league. That is serious form!

“They're sitting pretty at the top of Serie A.

“Leading the Napoli charge is Dries Mertens. He's been so good, he's made the Ballon d'Or shortlist and has formed quite the bond with Napoli's coach Maurizio Sarri.

“However, the 'Shark Team' will be their biggest test of the season!

“The Citizens have scored 29 goals in eight games and have conceded just four.

“Over the weekend, they hit seven against Stoke City where Kevin De Bruyne was again imperious.

“Pep [Guardiola] has a point to prove after a poor first season in England and who better to prove it against than Europe's other best team?"

The Manchester Evening News are also excited to discover how the game will pan out.

Having penned a statistical preview, David Dubas-Fisher scribed: “Tuesday's match between Manchester City and Napoli sees two of Europe's most attacking sides go head-to-head.

“City have been in fine goalscoring form this season, bagging 29 goals from eight league games.

“Napoli are only just behind them with 26 from as many matches, with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Roma being the only time they’ve scored fewer than three goals in a league game this season.

“It makes Napoli and City the top scorers in their respective leagues and along with PSG (also 29 goals) the top scorers in Europe’s five biggest leagues.

“In fact, at 3.6 goals per game City have the best attack of any league in Europe in 2017/18 while Napoli have the joint second with PSV at 3.3 goals per game.

“As you might imagine, the two sides have also had plenty of shots.

~City have had 155 attempts on goal in the league this season according to figures taken from Opta. Only Liverpool have had more in England with 156.

“Napoli have also had 155 shots on goal in the league, by far and away the most of any Serie A club. AC Milan have had the next most with 138.

“In Europe’s top leagues only Real Madrid have had more shots (161) though PSV have had 164."

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Napoli manager Sarri told press he feels City are ‘the strongest team in Europe.’

He stated: "The feeling I get watching Manchester City play, I didn't even get watching Real Madrid last year.

"I always felt my team could give opponents a hard time, but this time I think Man City are a formidable team.

"I watched a few matches. I didn't want to watch all of them because I didn't want to get depressed.

"I think Man City are by far the strongest team in Europe at the moment."

Napoli captain Marek Hamsik, who also addressed the media, added he expects a difficult test for his side against a ‘monstrous’ City.

Meanwhile, Football Transfer Tavern believe two men will be key to the City’s chances of success.

Wrote George Blake: “Kevin De Bruyne has been the star of the show at the Etihad this season.

“The Belgian is one of Europe’s best midfielders, and he’s arguably the best player in the Premier League right now.

“Providing incredible deliveries, De Bruyne will need to be on form and eager to create, as Napoli have proven themselves a very defensively fluid outfit.

“Based on his current form, though, he’ll have no trouble breaking through.

“De Bruyne will have to work hard and create, but Gabriel Jesus will be the man tasked with putting the ball into the back of the net.

“The Brazilian has been in great form this season, but given that Napoli have impressed too, he’ll need to have his scoring boots on if he wants to ensure that his side come out on top.

“[Sergio] Aguero still isn’t at 100%, so the Brazilian has the weight of the club on his shoulders.

“He’s as threatening as they come."

How will City fare tonight? Feeling confident? Cast your predictions for the starting XI, result and scorers in the CityMatchday app!