Kolarov brings City late point

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Kolarov brings City late point

Napoli made a promising debut in their Champions League campaign after drawing Manchester United 1-1 lat night at the Etihad. Cavani gave the Italians the first lead in the second part, while Kolarov leveled the score with a set piece screamer just five minutes later.

Both Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero were used as starters, but neither of the two could impress as much as expected as City had to fight hard for their point in Manchester. Nasri was the first to put pressure on Napoli’s goal as the French missed a 15 yarder early in the third minute, his shot going inches wide of the target in what could have been an early opener for Roberto Mancini’s side.

City got another big opportunity in the 14^th minute when Dzeko and Aguero exchanged a couple of passes. The Bosnian was denied by keeper De Sanctis who gifted the hosts the first corner of the meeting. Maggio was the first to get cautioned by the referee for a tough challenge on David Silva in the 16^th minute.

Napoli’s first real chance came three minutes later through Lavezzi whose finish reached the stands in what should have been a much more difficult test for keeper Hart. The Italians conceded yet another yellow card in the 30^th minute through Cannavaro who took down Aguero. Toure mocked a big occasion five minutes later, following an impressive action from City the finish of which saw Aguero feed the former FC Barcelona player for a shot just over the crossbar.

Five minutes before the half time, City won a free kick with Kolarov taking the responsibility for the set piece. His shot beat the wall but a late intervention from De Sanctis saved the visitors from a break deficit. Aronica was also shown a yellow card in the 44^th minute following a trip on the same Aguero who was hunted throughout the entire meeting.

Four minutes into the second part Lavezzi was denied by Hart whop saved a powerful volley from the edge of the box. But City broke back immediately through Lescott whose header missed the target. Napoli made the first change in the 59^th minute when injured Lavezzi made way for Blerim Dzemaili. Inler then conceded a first yellow for a foul on Toure.

Zabaleta saved his side from a one goal deficit in the 66^th minute. Hamsik was picked din good position only to be denied by the City defender who deflected the ball away for a corner. Just a couple of minutes later Napoli did open the score through Cavani who beat Hart with a low shot between his legs, following a great work from Maggio.

Aguero hit the crossbar in the 73^rd minute as City were nearing the leveler. The hosts won a free kick one minute later on the right with the same Kolarov assuming the set piece. The left footer thundered a perfect strike over the bar and straight into the near post past blinded keeper De Sanctis.

Mancini then replaced Nasri and Kolarov with Clichy and Johnson respectively. Just one minute after being introduced, Johnson delivered a perfect cross for Dzeko whose poor finish left the scoreboard unchanged. The Bosnian then departed to make way for Tevez.

With five minutes left coach Walter Mazzarri made another change, replacing Cavani with Pandev who was very close from scoring the winner in the 87^th minute. A poor defending by Kompany allowed the newly introduce to intercept the ball and finish it straight at Hart. Hamsik was replaced by Mario Santana as a time wasting move.

Said coach Mancini after the game: “We conceded Napoli a lot of space and they were really dangerous on the break. I sensed before the game that that we were nervous. We all wanted to win so much. Maybe there was too much desire. Now that game is out of our system maybe we can go to Munich and relax.”

City are third in the group A with one point with Villarreal behind them with zero points. Bayern Munich lead the group with three points thanks to a 2-0 win grabbed against the Spaniards last night. Manchester will travel to Bavaria one September 27, while Napoli host the Yellow Submarine on San Paolo stadium the same day.

Manchester City – Hart; Kolarov, Lescott, Kompany, Zabaleta; Barry, Toure; Nasri, Aguero, David Silva; Dzeko. Reserves: C. Pantilimon, C. Tevez, G. Clichy, A. Johnson, M. Richards, K. Toure, S. Savic.

Napoli – De Santcis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga; Hamsik, Lavezzi, Cavani. Reserves: I. Fideleff, F. Fernandez, A. Dossena, M. Santana, G. Pandev, A. Rosati, B. Dzemaili.

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