Napoli lost their Champions League debut away to Manchester City (2-0) , but did not look out of place as they were forced to play for over a half and a half with ten men less following the expulsion of captain Di Lorenzo in the 21st minute .
Conte's team still managed to finish the first half level, and only in the second half did the Citizens manage to break through, taking advantage of the plays of Haaland and Doku, their most dangerous attackers.
Di Lorenzo was sent off for a last-man foul on Haaland, who was on target , just minutes after Donnarumma had saved his goal with a prodigious save to thwart Beukema's header from a Politano corner. Referee Zwayer initially let the game continue, but was then called upon by VAR and, after a review, decided to send off the Napoli captain.
Throughout the first half, the home team, thanks in part to their numerical superiority, pinned Napoli back into their own penalty area. But the Azzurri defended with order and courage, limiting any dangerous attacking opportunities. When City managed to get a man in front of goal and have him shoot, Milinkovic-Savic thwarted every threat with three decisive saves.
In the second half, Napoli's defensive wall crumbled after 11 minutes. Foden passed Haaland vertically, and the Norwegian headed the ball past Milinkovic-Savic and into the net. The tone of the match remained unchanged after the English side's lead, and Napoli didn't have the energy to try to recover. Guardiola's team doubled their lead in the 20th minute. Doku, who slid into the penalty area, beat Milinkovic-Savic with a low, diagonal shot that passed between the goalkeeper's legs.
(Unioneonline)
