Manchester City’s form is showing no signs of slowing down.
Fresh from a dominant derby win over Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s side delivered another confident performance, this time taking down Napoli in the Champions League.
The spotlight naturally fell on Erling Haaland, who notched his 50th goal in the competition with a composed header, while City legend Kevin De Bruyne experienced a frustrating return to his former stomping ground.
Daily Mail Sport dives into the main talking points from this compelling clash.
Hojlund Faces a Rough Night
Rasmus Hojlund might want to erase this match from memory.
The Napoli striker battled through City’s defence, struggling for service and finding himself isolated for much of the game.
Up until De Bruyne’s early substitution, Hojlund barely touched the ball—just two times.
By half-time, he had managed only seven touches, none inside the City penalty area.
Napoli’s coaching staff remain confident Hojlund can thrive in Italy, believing they’ll tailor their play to his strengths—something United failed to do.
Against City, however, he was left to work hard without reward, illustrating exactly what not to do with the talented Dane.
Guardiola Sticks With a Winning Formula
One of the surprising moments was Pep Guardiola’s decision to keep an unchanged lineup.
While other managers often maintain consistency, Guardiola rarely does. Yet, after masterminding a 3-0 win over United, dominating Napoli, and preparing for a crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal, sticking with the same XI seems to have paid off.
It’s the first consecutive unchanged City lineup since January 2025, and the results speak for themselves.
Phil Foden is rediscovering his spark, Haaland continues his goal-scoring purple patch, and Jeremy Doku is delivering decisive moments.
Even Guardiola, usually a tinkerman, seems content with this current setup.
Milinkovic-Savic Reminds United of What They Lost
While much pre-match attention focused on Hojlund and Scott McTominay, another ex-United player stole the headlines: Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Despite conceding to Haaland, the former United man made six vital saves and proved to be a solid barrier for Napoli, particularly when they were down to ten men.
Milinkovic-Savic, who had a brief stint at United without making a senior appearance, serves as a reminder of the talent that slipped through the cracks in the red half of Manchester.
His performance left fans wondering what might have been.
Jeremy Doku Shows His Magic
Jeremy Doku has a knack for frustrating and dazzling in equal measure.
Against United, he was electric, running past defenders and creating moments of magic.
One stunning goal, weaving through four players, was reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s flair.
If Doku can consistently produce performances like this, he could become unstoppable for City this season.
Phil Foden’s Return Sparks Excitement
Phil Foden’s form is a welcome sight for City and England alike.
After a challenging season last year, the 25-year-old appears rejuvenated, combining skill, composure, and creativity.
Against Napoli, he created eight chances—his highest in a single match for City—and added an assist to his tally.
Guardiola highlighted Foden’s importance, recalling how crucial he was in securing the Premier League title two seasons ago.
With Foden back to his best, City can feel confident as they continue their title push, while England supporters hope he stays fit and focused ahead of the World Cup.
City’s Perfect Start to the Season
With dominant wins over United and Napoli, City are sending a clear message: their current formula is working.
Clean sheets, decisive goals, and standout performances from key players like Foden, Haaland, and Doku underline that Guardiola’s side is firing on all cylinders.
The Premier League title race is heating up, and City look ready to assert their dominance both domestically and in Europe.