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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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:
Juventus 0-0 Man City
3 mins: City control possession and work it through the middle of the pitch with Rico Lewis. He finds Bernardo Silva who slips a pass down the right for Kevin De Bruyne.
The playmaker lifts a high cross into the box hoping to find Erling Haaland but Michele Di Gregorio is there quickly to pluck the ball out of the air.
‘Both sides face an uphill task'
“It's 22nd against 20th tonight, a bottom-half battle. Although Juventus against Manchester City feels bigger and more glamorous than that.
“You can see the Alps from just outside the Allianz Stadium (in daylight, anyway) and both of these sides face an uphill task to salvage a top-eight finish.
“City bring back Ederson in their attempt to do so, picked for the first time since his error gifted Feyenoord a draw.”
Kick off! Juventus 0-0 Man City
Manchester City get the ball rolling in Turin. They work it over to the left wing with Jeremy Doku the target. Juventus win the aerial ball and nod it out of play.
Juventus vs Man City
The players are lining up in the tunnel ahead of this big Champions League clash. Manchester City have been in a bad run of form but Pep Guardiola and his men are determined to turn it around.
Kyle Walker leads out his team and will want to collect all three points to propel themselves up the table.
Errors leave Man City in brand new territory in the Champions League
Pep Guardiola had his head in his hands. Not for the first time in the Champions League, admittedly. But at a rather earlier stage than usual. Indeed, it felt like an overreaction, given that Manchester City were 3-1 ahead at the time. His histrionics may been premature but they came to look like a premonition. Josko Gvardiol’s hideous blunder proved the start of a Feyenoord comeback: 3-1 became 3-3. Two weeks ago, City dropped two points.
They now find themselves needing to win in Turin. Almost certainly, only a run of three victories will suffice for City if they are to salvage a top-eight finish in the Champions League group stage. A team who seem fatigued, overworked and plagued by injury could stumble their way into a greater workload, with the prospect of a two-legged play-off in February, the second match a few days before City host Liverpool.
Errors leave Man City in brand new territory in the Champions League
Usually they are ready to rest and rotate by this point – but this year City badly need victories
Pre-match thoughts from Ruben Dias
The Man City defender said: “I’m focused on moving forward: How we are going to do it, ways to stick together – that’s the only thing on my mind. Whatever people throw at us, whatever difficulties might come, that is the attitude. Now is the time to show character.
“I believe that the one thing that defines your legacy is how you’ve reacted in the most difficult moments of your career. Those are the moments that define you.
“Our belief has always been the same. If we’re on a good level, no one can stop us! If we find our rhythm, we can be very dangerous. If we keep the focus on what’s ahead and don’t get dragged down by whatever has happened, we can find it.”
Guardiola on Juventus
Guardiola also spoke about how to restore Man City’s form and what he is expecting from Juventus tonight. He said: “The mistakes we make are the consequence of not playing the way we have to play. The key is to play simple – our strength is being incredibly patient with the ball, and running like a desperate team when we don’t have it.
“Juventus are a historical team, used to playing under lots of pressure, and they have lots of quality. You can see Thiago Motta’s vision. They have incredible variety in their play.”
Man City in Italy
City’s last game in Italy was a 1-1 draw at Atalanta in the 2019/20 group stage. They failed to win in their first four games away to Serie A sides (D2 L2) but have two victories in their subsequent four visits (D1 L1).
City’s impressive run
The 0-0 draw at home to Inter on earlier in the season made it six games unbeaten against Italian opponents (W4 D2) for Manchester City.
This run that includes a 1-0 defeat of the Nerazzurri in the 2023 Champions League final, since the 1-0 loss at Juve in 2015. Before that, City had managed three wins in 12 games against Italian opponents (D5 L4).
Jose Mourinho hits back at Pep Guardiola with fresh Manchester City claim
Jose Mourinho has insisted that he does not want Manchester City to be relegated from the Premier League, though suggested that it is wrong that “big sharks” find ways to “escape” the financial fair play (FFP) rules.
Mourinho traded barbs with long-time touchline rival Pep Guardiola last week over the legitimacy of his titles since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, with the Portuguese manager pointing to the 129 alleged breaches of Premier League financial control rules.
Manchester City insist they are innocent of charges that relate to the period between 2009 and 2018, where the club won three domestic titles.
Jose Mourinho hits back at Pep Guardiola with fresh Man City claim
Mourinho had traded barbs with his old touchline sparring partner last week
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments