Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-0 Napoli (UEFA Champions League League Phase) | OneFootball

Manchester City got their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign off to the perfect start beating Italian champions Napoli 2-0 on Kevin De Bruyne’s Etihad Stadium return.

De Bruyne actually only lasted 26 minutes before coming off following Giovanni di Lorenzo’s dismissal for a challenge on Erling Haaland, and Napoli went into shutdown for the remainder of the first-half.

But the Norwegian breached their defence soon into the second period, becoming by far the quickest player to 50 UEFA Champions League goals in the process, and Jeremy Doku’s terrific second sealed a perfect start to the league phase for Pep Guardiola’s men.

Napoli – whose manager Antonio Conte is well aware of the damage Manchester City can do from his time in charge of Chelsea – started the game in predictably reactive fashion, and City had near total control before creating the first chance; a Tijjani Reijnders strike from the edge which Vanja Milinkovic-Savic parried away.

The Italians barely saw the ball for the first 15 minutes but nearly took the lead with their first sight of goal, with Gianluigi Donnarumma required to drop and parry Sam Beukema’s header from a corner.

But straight up the other end, Phil Foden picked out a brilliant ball and put Haaland in on goal, only for visiting captain di Lorenzo to bring him down right on the edge of the box, and referee Felix Zwayer went to the VAR screen and decided it was a red card offence for the right-back.

The resulting free-kick went straight into the wall but the Blues smelled the blood of their ten-men opponents, Haaland narrowly heading over from a Reijnders cross – and the atmosphere of the Etihad Stadium was also reignited when Conte decided the man to be sacrificed to rejig his shape would be de Bruyne, with the Belgian afforded a huge ovation by both the home and away supporters.

City were cranking up the heat but couldn’t break down the door, asking questions of Milinkovic-Savic through efforts from range from Phil Foden and Rodri, then with headers by Nico O’Reilly and Josko Gvardiol, all of which were repelled by the Serbian goalkeeper.

And the keeper even had to be alert to keep out his own teammates, as Reijnders’ effort was diverted towards his own goal by Matteo Politano, requiring Milinkovic-Savic to scoop it away from on the goal-line and ensure his side went into the break level.

It took just ten second-half minutes for City to finally breach the Napoli rearguard though; the derby heroes were at it again as Foden drifted into a pocket of space centrally and dinked a pass in behind, and Haaland ingenuously adjusted to head over Milinkovic-Savic for a half-century of goals on the biggest European stage in just 49 appearances.

The barricades were creaking and it wasn’t long before Doku smashed them down; the Belgian received the ball centrally from Reijnders and deliciously dropped the shoulder to move away from two defenders, before blasting past two more and slotting through the legs of Milinkovic-Savic for 2-0 and a fantastic goal.

It was a possession procession from there, allowing Manchester City to see out the 2-0 win, rest some key players and look ahead to a crunch clash with Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s how we rated the players in Manchester City’s opening UEFA Champions League league phase win of the season over Napoli!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7

Rarely tested by the team from his homeland on his European debut for Manchester City, but made the saves as and when they were required.

Abdukodir Khusanov – 7.5

Continues to look the part on the right side of the City defence. Had little defending to do tonight, but played his part in the possession neatly.

Ruben Dias – 7.5

Faced off against former Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund, but had just as easy a job shutting him down as he did current Red Devils frontman Benjamin Sesko on Sunday.

Josko Gvardiol – 7

Enjoyed a very quiet evening. Barely any defending to do, and was able to join the attack with the occasional overlap on the left when he wanted.

Nico O’Reilly – 7

Like his fellow defenders, was rarely tested in his own half. Knocked it around in the middle and attacking thirds easily enough.

Rodri – 7.5

Looked far sharper than in the derby, dictating the play and only becoming more influential as the Blues’ superiority increased after the red card. Withdrawn on the hour with Sunday’s trip to Arsenal in mind.

Tijjani Reijnders – 7.5

Able to exert his influence more than on Sunday, getting on the ball in dangerous areas in and around the box. Couldn’t quite get on the scoresheet himself, but did claim an assist for Doku.

Phil Foden – 8.5 (POTM)

Seems very keen to right the wrongs of last season and become the talisman again that he was in 23/24. Back to what he does best; popping up everywhere in attacking midfield, demanding the ball at all times and making things happen for his team.

Bernardo Silva – 7.5

Flitted between a central and right-wing role, facilitating City’s possession and working hard to make sure they stayed in control.

Erling Haaland – 7.5

Didn’t have much influence on the control of the game, but earned the red card for di Lorenzo and scored his record-breaking goal clinically.

Jeremy Doku – 8

Unstoppable at the minute. Unlucky not to create anything with his offerings from the wing, before scoring himself in sublime fashion.

Substitutes

Nico – 6.5

Slotted straight into the passing play.

Savinho – 6

Went at his man a few times but didn’t have much success.

Nathan Ake – N/A

Rico Lewis – N/A

Oscar Bobb – N/A