Man City 2-0 Napoli: Haaland Reaches 50 Champions League Goals After Red Card Turns Tide

Published: 19 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Manchester City launched their Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion on Wednesday night, defeating Napoli 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in a contest shaped heavily by an early red card for Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Erling Haaland, once again the star of the show, netted his 50th Champions League goal in record-breaking time before Jeremy Doku added a second to seal a commanding victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The night carried an added layer of sentiment with the highly anticipated return of Kevin De Bruyne, who had left City in the summer as one of the club’s most revered figures. The Etihad crowd paid tribute with banners and raucous applause, yet his appearance was cut short as tactical necessity forced him off after Di Lorenzo’s dismissal midway through the first half. The Napoli captain was initially shown a yellow card for his challenge on Haaland, but a VAR review upgraded the decision to a straight red. The replay showed Di Lorenzo’s outstretched boot catching Haaland as the Norwegian bore down on goal, leaving referee decisions beyond dispute and Napoli with a mountain to climb.

Antonio Conte, Napoli’s newly installed coach, was left with little choice but to reorganize into damage limitation mode. His players displayed admirable discipline, particularly goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić, who produced a string of outstanding saves to keep the scores level at half-time despite City unleashing 16 attempts on goal. But such resilience could not hold indefinitely against a side of City’s attacking quality.

The breakthrough came when Phil Foden delicately lofted a pass into the path of Haaland, who guided a header beyond the helpless Milinković-Savić. It was Haaland’s 50th goal in Europe’s elite competition, remarkably achieved in just 49 appearances—13 games faster than Ruud van Nistelrooy, the previous record holder. The Norwegian striker’s appetite for goals shows no sign of slowing; he now boasts 130 goals for City in 151 matches across all competitions, including 74 at the Etihad alone.

Doku, who dazzled in last weekend’s Manchester derby, confirmed the result soon after with a moment of individual brilliance. Gliding past defenders in tight spaces, the Belgian forward slotted home City’s second and underlined his growing importance in Guardiola’s attack. With Doku, Foden, and Haaland in synchrony, City approach Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Arsenal brimming with confidence and form.

Guardiola praised his side’s composure after the match, highlighting their defensive structure and body language across what he described as “a big victory against an incredible side.” On Doku, the manager was unequivocal: “In smaller spaces, over five metres, he’s unstoppable. The last two games were really, really good.”

For Conte, the match proved a frustrating encounter overshadowed by officiating. “The game was ruined with the red card,” the Italian admitted, though he stopped short of criticising the referee. He also expressed regret over withdrawing De Bruyne against his former club, acknowledging the personal significance of the fixture. Still, he praised his players’ commitment, suggesting the contest might have unfolded differently had it remained eleven versus eleven.

Napoli’s former Manchester United contingent endured a difficult evening. Rasmus Højlund, leading the line alone, was starved of service and left the pitch to ironic cheers from the City faithful, while Scott McTominay worked tirelessly in midfield but struggled to impose the attacking influence he has displayed in Serie A.

Ultimately, the night belonged to Manchester City, their superiority made even more stark after Di Lorenzo’s dismissal. Haaland’s record-breaking feat etched another chapter into his extraordinary career, while Guardiola’s side, already brimming with goals, appear ready for their next major test. As Arsenal await on Super Sunday, City carry with them the momentum of a team playing with purpose, fluency, and the unmistakable swagger of champions.