Juventus vs Man City LIVE: Champions League reaction as Vlahovic and McKennie goals earn fine win
Juventus 2-0 Man City: Pep Guardiola’s team slumped to a seventh defeat in 10 games
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Your support makes all the difference.Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a seventh defeat in 10mgames when they were beaten 2-0 away at Juventus leaving them on the verge of an early Champions League exit.
For all the pre-match talk of legacy and a fighting mentality, City looked nervous and slow as they attempted to assert some control on the game by maintaining possession. Too often they failed to create openings for Erling Haaland and the striker only had one good opportunity to score in the first half but was denied by Michele Di Gregorio.
Playing with a mid-low block worked to frustrate City and Juve opened up more in the second half, pushing higher up the pitch and opening the scoring through Dusan Vlahovic’s headed effort. City’s defence, which at times looked shaky, failed to properly clear the danger and were punished.
The hosts added a second with a superb counter attack that was finished off by American duo Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie with the former Leeds United midfielder putting the cap on a fine night for the Serie A side.
Relive the Champions League action with our live blog below:
HT Juventus 0-0 Man City
Here’s Pep Guardiola speaking before kick off about the history of Juventus and why facing them in Turin is a big challenge:
HT Juventus 0-0 Man City
Both team have had three shots in the first half with only one on target. Man City have dominated possession with almost 66% over the first 45 minutes.
Juventus have been fairly toothless in front of goal, they’ve been more focused on making sure City can’t create anything in front of goal.
Half-time! Juventus 0-0 Man City
45+1 mins: Nothing to separate the two teams yet. Erling Haaland’s effort was the chance of the half and Juve’s goalkeeper was up to the task of keeping him out.
The points are all to play for in the second half.
Juventus 0-0 Man City
42 mins: A Man City free kick is swung in by De Bruyne but Khephren Thuram is on hand to nod it behind for a corner. There’s a bit of argy bargy inside the six-yard box that the referee sorts out.
De Bruyne then puts in the cross and a headed clearance drops to Rico Lewis. His eyes light up and he looks for the volley but scuffs his effort without troubling the goalkeeper.
Juventus 0-0 Man City
40 mins: Save!
This is the moment. Kevin De Bruyne is given the ball just outside the penalty area. He controls it on the turn and pokes a quick pass in behind the Juventus defence.
Erling Haaland makes his run perfectly and collects the ball as Michele Di Gregorio comes sprinting off his line. Haaland looks to chip the goalkeeper but Di Gregorio sticks out a left hand and palms the ball to safety.
Big moment, big save!
Juventus 0-0 Man City
39 mins: On TNT Sport commentary Owen Hargreaves is praising Haaland’s concentration levels and confirms that previous shot was only his seventh touch of the game so far.
It must be so frustrating for the big Norwegian striker when service is limited like this.
Juventus 0-0 Man City
36 mins: City create a half-chance after De Bruyne whips in a cross. Juve make a meal out of their clearance the ball drops close to Haaland.
He spins and fizzes an effort at goal with a snapshot but the ball hits the nearest defender and gets blocked.
Juventus 0-0 Man City
33 mins: There’s a growing sense of frustration from the home supporters who want more from their team. Juve are set up in a mid-low block and have done a fine job limiting City’s opportunities in the final third.
The trade-off is that there’s not much flow going forward either. We’re stuck in a stalemate at the minute.
‘City actually have to win'
“Half an hour in and we have had one shot. It was quite a good shot, courtesy of Kenan Yildiz, but it is still only one.
“City have had far more possession but Juve have looked the more threatening. Perhaps, after recent traumas, Pep Guardiola is content simply to see his side pass the ball and not concede.
“But the dynamics of the group means City actually have to win. As, really, do Juventus.”
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