Napoli Boss Maurizio Sarri Takes Positives in Defeat to Potential CL Winners Man City

Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri was proud of his team's performance despite losing 2-1 against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. 

The Italian told Napoli's official Twitter account: "The first 25 minutes were tough. Manchester City showed themselves to be a special side, we made things tough for them. Not many teams will have managed that here."

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Although the Serie A side lost 2-1 they did have a penalty saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson when the score was 2-0, and had that gone in the game could have ended differently, but the Napoli gaffer still felt his team's trip to Manchester was a success:

"I think I can say we passed the Manchester City test, It's a big step forward compared to the Real Madrid match last year."

Napoli are now third in Group F and Sarri knows his side will need to win at least two of their remaining three games to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League: "We want to stay in the Champions League; we'll try and win the next three games". 

Finally, Maurizio Sarri stated he felt after facing City that Pep Guardiola's team could win their first ever Champions League: "Manchester City are an incredible team, technically and physically. They could win the Champions League."

Napoli will now turn their attention to this Saturday's crucial fixture between them and Inter Milan at the Stadio San Paolo as they look to maintain their unbeaten domestic record this campaign and extend their lead at the top of Serie A