Manchester City had defender Aleksandar Kolarov to thank for ensuring their much-celebrated Champions League debut did not become an anti-climax at home to Napoli.
The Serbia international succeeded in securing a 1-1 draw, on a night when the likes of Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko, David Silva and, late on, Carlos Tevez failed to score.
Napoli’s plans appeared to have worked when Edison Cavani, Serie A’s leading goalscorer last season, snatched a classic counter-attacking goal.
But Kolarov, who has still to convince after more than a season at City, proved the unlikely hero.
First Half Highlights
69′ [0 – 1] E. Cavani
74′ [1 – 1] A. Kolarov
Credit: www.soccernet.espn.go.com