Napoli | 2 - 1 | Manchester City |
|---|---|---|
| Edinson Cavani (17') |  | Mario Balotelli (33') |
| Edinson Cavani (49') | | |
| Date | : | Tue, Nov 22, 2011 | Time | : | 21.45 CET |
| Play on | : | UEFA Champions League |
'Napoli 2 - 1 Manchester City' 22nd Nov Highlights 2011
Edinson Cavani scored two goals in the Napoli won 2-1 to leave Manchester City Champions League hopes in jeopardy.
The highly rated Uruguayan up the Italian side back into second place in Group A with goals either side of an equalizer Mario Balotelli in the intimidating Estadio San Paolo.
City had several chances in a game full of events, but Marek Hamsik also hit the post for the hosts, who dominated for long periods.
The Barclays Premier League leaders now have to win their last game against group winners Bayern Munich and are based on a no win for Villarreal against Napoli to progress.
The night in Naples was another learning curve for a team that can be dominant in the country, but are still off the pace at European level elite.
Cavani, Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi - all of which have been linked to the city - were a handful all night in a stunning environment.
The level of the city of hostility to the vast arena was evident long before kick-off and there was little respite from the noise during the game.
The crowd were not only noisy, but apparently had a large supply of fireworks and ear piercing whistles, waved to all spells of possession of the city.
Supporters of the city were greatly outnumbered, but they did everything possible to contribute to the atmosphere through the activation of a series of firecrackers themselves.
A side of the city with four changes from the first weekend would not seem to bother them as it seemed to build attacks with patience.
City, Roberto Mancini started with Edin Dzeko against Balotelli along with Sergio Aguero on the bench.
As usual, turn on the sides, ie there was no room for Micah Richards in the form on the right, Pablo Zabaleta came
Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva were the other men in exchange, and both stood out as the City investigated.
His first real opportunity to Yaya Toure in the fire before it bowed Balotelli long-range effort wide.
Napoli hit back in the jump and went as Hamsik went straight to Joe Hart after a cross Lavezzi.
Lively, Napoli took over Lavezzi shooting after all Cavani fair play on the edge of the box.
Lavezzi has at the end of a center for former Liverpool player Andrea Dossena, but his volley was deflected.
Hart was then extended as Gokhan Inler Hart forced to palm over from long range, but the city gets rid of the resulting corner on 19 minutes.
Lavezzi met Cavani set pieces with a header and the ball found a way past Hart at his post near.
It took some time to regain the city of a measure of possession, after dropping constant motion, but ended with Silva screwed a shot well wide.
The city is pressed again and stabilized after 32 minutes when a poor clearance went straight to Paolo Cannavaro Silva, who shot straight at Morgan De Sanctis. The goalie stopped, but only about Balotelli, who played in gratitude at close range.
Kolarov broke into the area of the city threatened a second just before the break but shot straight at De Sanctis.
What had been hard work to get back in the game has broken four minutes into the second half, Napoli regained the lead.
The visitors were caught out by his right and got behind Zabaleta Dossena and Cavani pull back in front of goal.
The Uruguayan was not wrong when sidefooted the home of his second with precision, but Hart could certainly have done better.
The city was besieged over Joleon Lescott Hamsik blocked a shot and Slovak led the rebound. Inler put another attempt wide.
Silva tried to stir a response, but bad miscue another chance.
Kolarov Balotelli accommodated to the end of a good move, but the City striker could not make firm contact in front of goal.
Hart is to be alert at the other end to cut a pass from Christian Maggio and made it even better to deny Lavezzi after being played in by Cavani and jumped past of Vincent Kompany.
Of the city were lucky not to concede a third when Hamsik weaves its way into the box and hit the base of the post with a powerful shot.
Maggio after lap in the city were exposed again, but Hart came out to smother the ball.
However, the city Balotelli were killed and another opportunity went from a pass from Samir Nasri substitute. Silva forced another save from De Sanctis as City pushed by a late goal, but Napoli held on.
Napoli vs Manchester City Last 5 match
| Napoli | Manchester City |
| Nov 19, 2011, Napoli 0 - 0 Lazio | Nov 19, 2011, Man City 3 - 1 Newcastle |
| Nov 2, 2011, Bayern Munich 3 - 2 Napoli | Nov 5, 2011, QPR 2 - 3 Man City |
| Oct 29, 2011, Catania 2 - 1 Napoli | Nov 2, 2011, Villarreal 0 - 3 Man City |
| Oct 26, 2011, Napoli 2 - 0 Udinese | Oct 29, 2011, Man City 3 - 1 Wolves |
| Oct 23, 2011, Cagliari 0 - 0 Napoli | Oct 26, 2011, Wolves 2 - 5 Man City |
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