please log in to view this image TEAM NEWS Netherlands international Nigel De Jong is absent due to a foot injury and Roberto Mancini's midfield options could be further restricted as Gareth Barry has an ankle injury and James Milner is suffering from concussion after a clash in the game against Wigan. Both will have late fitness tests. Owen Hargreaves has not been named in the Champions League squad and Mario Balotelli is suspended. Marek Hamsik was used as a substitute against Cesena but will return to the starting XI. Blerim Dzemaili is expected to be dropped in midfield, with Uruguayan Walter Gargano coming in alongside Gokhan Inler. Marco Donadel remains out with a thigh injury picked up in training while Miguel Britos (metatarsal) is out until November. MANAGER QUOTES Roberto Mancini: "It's an exciting day for the club because to play in the Champions League after many years is a very important and special day. Napoli are a good team because last year they did very well in the Italian championship, this year they bought other new players." Walter Mazzarri: "I expect my team to do as they did last year against Liverpool and Villarreal. We went there and attacked the game. There are stronger teams (in the Champions League) but we will always try to play... I don't think any of the players present have problems with injuries, as we've only played one game in the Italian league." MATCH FACTS Both Manchester City and Napoli are making their debuts in the Champions League group stages. Manchester City’s only participation in the European Cup was back in the 1968/69 campaign – they were knocked out by Fenerbahce in the first round. Napoli last took part in the European Cup in the 1990/91 campaign. Their only defeat in six European Cup games came against Real Madrid, back in September 1987. Napoli have lost their three away trips against English clubs in European competition (against Burnley in the 1966/67 Fairs Cup, against Leeds Utd in the 1968/69 Fairs Cup and against Liverpool in the 2010/11 Europa League). Manchester City have lost only two of their 33 home games in all European competition (including qualifiers), losing to fellow English side Chelsea in the Cup Winners Cup semi-final in April 1971 and against Midtjylland in a UEFA Cup qualifier in 2008. This will be the first competitive meeting between these two sides. MATCH ODDS Man City - 4/11 Napoli - 9/1 Draw - 7/2 http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/14092011/58/champions-league-matchpack-manchester-city-v-napoli.html ------------------------------------------------------------------ Roberto Mancini confident ahead of Champions League clash. Roberto Mancini and Aleksander Kolarov speak ahead of Manchester City's Champions League clash with Napoli. http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/519266543?-1808
Man City ready for European adventure Wild boasts and missed chances, followed by pitch invasions, stadium fires and a shock early exit. Manchester City's only previous campaign in the European Cup was short, but it certainly wasn't sweet. They have had to wait 43 years to put things right but, when City legend Mike Summerbee takes his seat at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to watch his old side make their Champions League debut, he is certain it will be very different this time. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chrisbevan/2011/09/man_city_ready_for_european_ad.html
I have no clue why on Earth ITV (ok, they are very Man Utd biased, but still) is showing United's reserve take on Benfica. For me as neutral fan it is more interesting to see City's first CL game against a very good Napoli side. Tough group, but I'm sure you'll top it.
Every league game after a championship league Man Utd at home for the next SIX games, Man City six away games after a European tie Chelsea four away and two at home I know that some European leagues "massage" the fixture list to "help" their teams.............but this stinks
Got to say guys a draw at home isn't a good result. Napoli were on paper and as far as bookies were concerned the weakest side in your group, yet you've only drawn at home. As it happens I feel Napoli were somewhat underrated going into the game, but it was still alarming how many opportunities they had, and the fact they proved at the very least your equal. You go to Bayern next, the toughest team in the group, and if you lose that, which is a big possibility, you would be in big trouble. Villareal have started the season very poorly in Spain and were played off the park by Bayern tonight, but form is temporary and class is permanent, with the likes of Nilmar and Rossi up front sooner or later they are going to start finding there form, could be just in time for the back to back games against your lot. I wish you guys luck, as it's good to see the English sides do well, but I realy do feel youve made life very difficult for yourselves, and IMO Bayern will top the group, with Napoli taking the runners up spot
It's a tough group ... Napoli should have not been underestimated ... they fought hard against Man City and were slightly lucky to escape with a point, though they had chances to win ... This group will be a joy to watch.
Yeh it will! great group with pretty evenly matched teams who all have great fans!! I did expect city to win last night but Napoli looked very good! It will be a tough group for any of the teams to get out of!!
Not a good result but a fair result, we had plenty of chances but couldn't put it in the back of the net, Dzeko worries me he has had a couple of great games against far inferior defences and everyone was singing his praises, last night i thought he looked ordinary and I hope RM now gives Tevez a chance, Gareth Barry’s attempted flick was our undoing, thankfully we managed to get back to level terms and the night wasn't a total disaster.
Jack....Dzeko scores 4 goals one game, and is then dropped for the next, and then Mancini expects him to come back into the side and pick up where he left off. Dzeko should have been the first name on the team sheet Saturday, but he gets dropped, what do you think that does to a players confidence?
If I were Dzeko l would assume I was being rested so I was fit for the more important CL game, my confidence would be sky high
The game was there for the taking. The players as a whole need to be more clinical in front of goal. Only 4 shots on target out of a total of 24 shots is very poor. We only need at least 1/4 of those shots that missed to be on target and we would have won the game. We need to improve the shots on target ratio to those that miss to at least 70% on target and 30% missing the target if we want to progress overall as a team.
