Napoli 2 vs. 1 Man City

1-0: An undeserved goal from Napoli when Lavezzi aims for the near post from a corner, Cavani was there to flick it towards goal and past Hart. (17)

1-1: De Sanctis parried Silva's shot straight to Balotelli who has the simplest of tap-ins. Napoli's failure to clear the ball lead to the goal. (33)

2-1: Cavani's side-footed volley was too hard for the City 'keeper and ended up being the winner. (49)

With Dzeko, Balotelli, Silva, Cavani, Lavezzi and Hamsik, this game was never going to be goalless!

The Manchester side started the better, keeping the ball well without creating any real chances. Napoli defended in typical Italian fashion, and looked to counter for their goalscoring opportunities. You see a lot of teams with players on the posts when defending corners - not City. For me Kolarov is to blame as he half heartedly stuck a leg out, which looked to put Hart off.

Man City seemed cautious and couldn't break down the sturdy defence of Napoli who played with a flat back 3 with the wing backs tucking in when they'd lose possession.

City weren't afraid to get players forward: Kolarov would often run down the left allowing Balotelli to move in field alongside Dzeko and Silva, with Milner and Toure Yaya joining attacks.

Although they kept the ball well for the majority, they left space for Napoli to counter and it was a well executed, attacking move that got the Italian side the victory, early in the second half.

City have to win against Bayern and hope that Villarreal (still without a point) do well against Napoli, to go through.

It's not like they need the money from the Champions League. Their squad may well be the strongest but they could do with less fixtures if they're to keep up their destructive Premier League form.

Athletic Bilbao 2 vs. 2 F.C. Barcelona

1-0

Great play by Susaeta out on the left flank, breezing past Mascherano who slid in. The Athletic winger squared it to Herrera on the edge of the box who was given enough time to take a touch, then curl it into the far right corner past Valdes. 

(20)

1-1

Barca hit back straight away, Abidal and Adriano were swapping from left back and left wing all game, Abidal it was who put in a good ball for Cesc to head in. 

(24)

2-1

Abidal has to take the blame for allowing Bilbao back into the lead. The ball was delivered in and the Frenchman looked too casual as he swung a leg at it. The ball sliced off his boot and flicked off Pique's shin and into the back of the net. 

(80)

2-2

Messi played the ball into Iniesta who flicked it towards Villa, it was too strong a touch and went towards Iraizoz, the Athletic 'keeper. His own player - Amorbieta got in the way and the ball fell to Messi who cooly put it in the bottom corner. 

(90+1)

The match started off slowly and neither side created many good chances. Bilbao were noticeably playing with high pressure, as a lot of teams do when playing against Barcelona. The difference today being that the Basque club were able to keep it up all game.

Barca conceded their first goal in nine games (all competitions) when Herrera curled it past Valdes. They weren't great defensively without Puyol. Mascherano seemed to drift away from centre back as you expect with the high pressure Barca play, but when you play high pressure you take a risk and leave space.

The weather was atrocious, it was pouring down the whole match. A few puddles formed in different parts of the pitch. Amorebieta tried to dribble through one, leaving the ball behind. Iniesta pounced on the ball and tried to lob the keeper to no avail. 

The last ten minutes were all Barca, Amorebieta didn't help his sides chances of keeping hold of the three points as he got sent off in the 87th minute for a second bookable offence.

Messi has broken all sorts of records; 14 hatricks, 200 goals, 1 million nutmegs all at the age of 24, but today was his first La Liga goal away from home this season - isn't he slacking!