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Man City’s worst run since 2006 puts them at risk of Champions League elimination

daniel zeqiri
·28-min read
Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola’s side have conceded 23 goals in their last 10 matches - Reuters/Claudia Greco

Old Lady 2 Old Men 0. Manchester City plan a significant overhaul of their ageing squad next summer, after some emergency action in January, but the question is, where will they be by then?

They are already facing the unthinkable after this messy defeat by Juventus and that is having to head into a Champions League play-off in February and two more demanding fixtures in what is already a hugely congested schedule.

But if they are not careful they might even miss out altogether, and go out of Europe completely, as they sit just a point above that zone in the new expanded 36-team table. They are 22nd and need to finish no lower than 24th. They face Paris St-Germain away – the French giants also desperately need points – and Club Brugge at home. The Belgians are currently above City in the table. Finishing in the top eight, something of a given before this campaign started, is beyond them.

Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City appear dejected at the end of the Champions League match at Juventus
Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva trudge off in Turin as City’s downward spiral continues - Getty Images/Francesco Scaccianoce

But then so much of what is happening at City right now is uncharted territory under Pep Guardiola. It is one win in 10. And they have lost seven of them. That is unheard of for the Catalan. As for City, this is their worst run of results since Stuart Pearce was the manager 18 years ago.

The wheels have come off and are bouncing down the track. City have conceded 23 goals in their past 10 games. In their Treble-winning season they only let in 43 goals across the entire campaign. Next up? The Manchester derby at home on Sunday, which will be like two wounded beasts fighting it out.

What will infuriate Guardiola is the rinse-and-repeat nature of City’s performances, as they once again dominated and gave away cheap goals. Both were well-taken, but were due to careless mistakes and Josko Gvardiol – who has endured a difficult few weeks – was to blame.

Josko Gvardiol and Jack Grealish look concerned during their defeat by Juventus
Josko Gvardiol, pictured with Jack Grealish, was at fault for both of Juventus’s goals - Getty Images/Francesco Scaccianoce

For all the older players City rely on, it was two of the younger ones who had the poorest evenings. Gvardiol is 22 and Erling Haaland is 24, and for all his brilliance, he missed the best opening for City when the game was goalless. Haaland has taken just four of his 12 big chances in the Champions League this season.

Instead he was eclipsed by Dusan Vlahovic. The Juventus striker was outstanding, delivering an all-round centre-forward’s performance and capped it with the opening goal.

It was not as if City played badly and Guardiola argued that case. They just have this strange vulnerability. This curious lack of belief. They are trying to do the same things that brought them such stunning success. Kevin De Bruyne did enough, but it is not quite calibrated. The ball is being overhit, under-hit and some of those legs are not moving the way they used to.

Change is coming, but can they get by until then? The theory was that surely they would improve once players started to come back but they are back – with a few key exceptions – and it is not getting better. This was not a hugely understrength City side. Obviously add in Rodri and another centre-half. But the rest of the team are the same.

Juventus are in the middle of their rebuild under their new head coach Thiago Motta, and this was a result and a display that was their best since he took over. At the end, the players celebrated in front of the Curva Nord, where the Juventus ultras congregate, and where they were relentless in their chanting amid the rhythmic banging of a drum.

Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus celebrates the victory
Teun Koopmeiners leads the celebrations as Juventus climb to 14th in the table - Getty Images/Juventus FC

As he strode off the pitch, Guardiola glanced over. He is used to being at the heart of such occasions, not on the outside.

The first half was cagey. City made the running, as ever, and dominated possession, but Juventus were happy with that, forcing them wide and were only undone once. At last there was that moment of brilliance, that connection of old, that combination that has been so deadly for City when De Bruyne spun on the edge of the penalty area and slid a precise pass for Haaland to run around Pierre Kalulu for a sight on goal. As he lifted his shot he was thwarted by a superb save from goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, but Haaland should have scored. Guardiola held his hands on his face. It showed the tension he felt.

Maybe he sensed what was coming.

After Ilkay Gundogan failed to capitalise on De Bruyne’s smart pass, with his shot lacking conviction and easily charged down, Juventus struck. Ederson beat out Federico Gatti’s acrobatic volley but there was a woefully loose pass from Gvardiol across the face of the penalty area intended for Kyle Walker, but which ran to Kenan Yildiz. Gvardiol should have just cleared. Why did he make such a foolish error?

And so Yildiz’s cross was met by Vlahovic, easily beating Gvardiol, another mistake from the defender, and Ederson could not stop the header from going over the line.

City went close when De Bruyne steered a low shot narrowly wide and closer when Di Gregorio palmed away Gundogan’s curling effort.

But it was Juventus who scored again as they broke and two substitutes combined, with Weston McKennie brilliantly volleying home Timothy Weah’s cross.

Once again Gvardiol was at fault, leaving McKennie unmarked as he ran towards Weah when two team-mates were already there. Once again City were beaten. Once again they had helped beat themselves. Yet again they remain in crisis.

11:00 PM GMT

The remaining fixtures for the British teams

Liverpool: Lille (H), PSV Eindhoven (A)

Arsenal: Dinamo Zagreb (H), Girona (A)

Aston Villa: Monaco (A), Celtic (H)

Celtic: Young Boys (H), Aston Villa (A)

Manchester City: Paris St-Germain (A), Club Brugge (H)

10:37 PM GMT

City languishing in 22nd

10:24 PM GMT

More from Gundogan on what City are missing

I feel like we know exactly what’s going wrong. If you look at the most part of games even today we actually didn’t play bad, created chances, just missed to score, in these kind of games if you give away once chance it’s not easy to bounce back.

We know what’s going wrong it’s just finding the switch to turn things around because even though we are not getting results, it doesn’t feel like we are far off.

As long as we don’t find that click it’s going to be tough, the only thing right now we can do, every single player needs to question themselves, to do better, how the player can individually sacrifice more to contribute to the team so we can get collectively back on our way.

Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City controls the ball during the Champions League
Ilkay Gundogan and City are struggling for answers - Getty Images/Francesco Scaccianoce

10:23 PM GMT

Guardiola speaking after the game

We miss the last pass, the last action and concede few. I’m so proud of these players, they gave everything and they tried. We play really good.

We did not lose many balls and we arrived in positions. You know against Italian teams they defend so deep and are so compact, they are the masters of these situations.

We have two games, we need one win. The Feyenoord game and Inter caused us a problem, it will help us appreciate what we have done and are going to do in the future.

10:18 PM GMT

Telegraph Sport columnist Jamie Carragher speaking about Guardiola on CBS

You can’t believe what you’re seeing. This is a massive crisis. The greatest manager, possibly of all time, has no answers at this moment in time.

Josep Guardiola Manager of Manchester City
Guardiola applauds the travelling Man City fans - Getty Images/Jonathan Moscrop

10:09 PM GMT

A good night for Vlahovic

10:08 PM GMT

Gundogan says City have a mental problem

It feels like every attack we concede, it’s so dangerous. We are a bit careless in the duels and we overcomplicate things instead of playing simple and missing the right timing. 

We give them counter-attacks and then have to run 50 or 60 metres back and we are not built for that, we are built for possession.

Confidence is a big part of it, it’s a mental issue as well. In one action we lose the ball or miss a pass we drop easily. They do not even have to do much to disrupt our rhythm.

We have to do the simple things as well as possible, clean and fluidly, that is how we get the confidence back.

At the crucial moment it feels like we are doing the wrong thing.

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan during the defeat at Juventus - PA/Fabrizio Carabelli

09:52 PM GMT

FT: Juventus 2 Man City 0

Thiago Motta’s football is a long way from the archetypal Italian style, but Juventus wound the clock back with an obdurate display of penalty-box defending and decisive counter-attacking. City had heaps of control for long periods, but Haaland missed their best chance of the first half. Juventus put bodies on the line in the second, and City ran out of ideas and were picked off on the break.

PSG (A) and Club Brugge (H) City’s final two games, but it is just one win in 10 across all competitions.

Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates after scoring to give the side a 2-0
Weston McKennie celebrates scoring Juventus’ second - Getty Images/Jonathan Moscrop

09:49 PM GMT

92 minutes: Juventus 2 Man City 0

Just the two minutes of added time to play, City’s race is surely run. Top eight looks out of the question now, the maximum points haul City can reach is 14.

09:48 PM GMT

90 minutes: Juventus 2 Man City 0

Manchester City’s players are insistent that they should have a penalty for handball against Gatti, but his arm was by his side and Rico Lewis’ shot took a deflection. Lewis does not deserve to be on the losing team.

09:46 PM GMT

89 minutes: Juventus 2 Man City 0

One last hurrah for City, pinning Juventus back and keeping the ball around the box, but once again the cross was hopeful and inaccurate. To give Haaland some leeway, some of the delivery he has been offered has been neck high.

09:45 PM GMT

86 minutes: Juventus 2 Man City 0

Now Bernardo is shown a yellow card for pushing Gatti out of petulance. Juventus’ defenders have smothered Haaland brilliantly all night. City struggling for answers at the moment.

09:43 PM GMT

83 minutes: Juventus 2 Man City 0

The free-kick comes to nothing and Grealish is shown a yellow card for a trip in midfield. Vlahovic is withdrawn by Motta to a healthy ovation from the home fans. As things stand, City are just three places above the elimination cutline. The team below? PSG, who City play away next. The good news is the game is in five weeks.

09:39 PM GMT

81 minutes: Juventus 2 Man City 0

City have not played badly in general play here, but this game rather sums up their season: an underlying defensive vulnerability while they are not scoring enough at the other end outside of Haaland. They do have a free-kick now, around 35 yards from the Juventus goal.

09:37 PM GMT

79 minutes: Juventus 2 Man City 0

Now City are rolling the dice with a change: Savinho on for Doku. Guardiola’s team unable to cope defending a counter attack once again this season.

09:34 PM GMT

GOOOAAALL! City sucker-punched on the break

Juventus have barely been in City’s half for 20 minutes but they have their second goal. Motta’ substitutes combining to great effect on the counter-attack. McKennie switching the ball to Weah, he needed a second attempt to cross from the right but he stood up a lovely cross for McKennie to hammer home on the volley. A gut punch for City.

09:30 PM GMT

71 minutes: Juventus 1 Man City 0

De Bruyne with a needless shot from range over the bar, unlike him to make the wrong decision. Juventus are sinking deeper and deeper now though as they look to hang on to this narrow lead.

09:27 PM GMT

68 minutes: Juventus 1 Man City 0

Di Gregorio with a flying save to keep Gundogan’s shot from the distance out of the top corner! The Gundogan plays a give-and-go at the edge of the box, but Gatti produces yet another block to halt him. Juventus are bringing on a pair of USA internationals: McKennie and Timothy Weah, son of George.

09:24 PM GMT

65 minutes: Juventus 1 Man City 0

Another pair of mammoth defensive blocks from Juventus in their own penalty area. City continue to be frustrated. Still no changes from Guardiola despite Phil Foden warming up vigorously.

09:22 PM GMT

63 minutes: Juventus 1 Man City 0

Doku with another teasing ball across the box from the left. It feels like City are starting to turn the screw, but there was a scare at the other end with Ederson needing two attempts to gather Yildiz’s fizzed cross.

09:17 PM GMT

59 minutes: Juventus 1 Man City 0

Another excellent piece of City play in response to the goal, with Grealish bobbing and weaving through the middle. He spread play to Bernardo on the right after the Juventus defence had shifted over, but once again the shot was blocked.

09:16 PM GMT

58 minutes: Juventus 1 Man City 0

Koopmeiners produces a magnificent block in his own penalty area to deny Lewis after Doku saw his own effort charged down. Better from City though and the game is starting to open up now.

09:14 PM GMT

54 minutes: Juventus 1 Man City 0

City had been comfortable for most of the night, but now they need to start attacking with more pace and purpose. It was a soft goal to concede, fairly agricultural play from Juventus rather a stroke of genius. Guardiola might look to his bench soon.

09:12 PM GMT

GOOOAALL! Vlahovic strikes for Juventus

The forward who has been much-maligned since his big money from from Fiorentina has given Juventus the lead out of more or less nothing. He rose highest between Dias and Lewis to meet a cross swung in from the left, and Ederson bundled the ball over the line. The header was straight at him, City’s goalkeeper could surely have done better.

09:10 PM GMT

52 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

So much of Juventus’ possession in thi s game has been deep in their own half. They finally progress into City territory, but City slow down Conceicao before Gatti draws a save from Ederson.

09:08 PM GMT

49 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

De Bruyne has show flashes of his best tonight, another smooth piece of play down the right to set up Gundogan in the box but his shot was blocked. The ball just will not drop for City in the penalty area so far despite them working the ball into good positions.

09:06 PM GMT

47 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

A corner early in the second half for the home team after a foray down the right for Conceicao. He started the first half brightly but City’s stranglehold on the game left him frozen out as the first 45 minutes progressed. The delivery from Juventus was poor and City clear.

09:03 PM GMT

The second half is under way!

As things stand, Juventus and City are four points off the top eight and an automatic spot in the last 16.

08:57 PM GMT

Jason’s HT verdict: Two teams lacking confidence and rhythm

For all the incessant drumming from the home fans massed in the Curva Nord it is a game so far that lacks rhythm and is desperately in need of a beat. It is still strange to see Manchester City lacking so much in confidence and fluency. The one moment of class felt like a throwback to happier times for them with Kevin De Bruyne superbly picking out Erling Haaland. But Juventus goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio saved well. It is on a knife-edge for City and maybe the determination not to lose another game is more important to them than having to win. As things stand they be heading to the Champions League play-offs which would mean two more games in an already hugely congested season.

Juventus' Turkish forward #10 Kenan Yildiz
Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz gets away from Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan - Getty Images/Marco Bertorello

08:48 PM GMT

HT: Juventus 0 Man City 0

City have been the dominant team, and after some chastening away games over the last few months Guardiola will be pleased with the control they have established. A little toothless at the sharp end though, aside from Haaland’s chance, created by De Bruyne but saved by Di Gregorio. Juventus had a couple of nice passages built from the back early, but nothing more. Vlahovic getting no change from Dias.

08:46 PM GMT

45 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

Just the one minute of added time to play. Juventus happy to let the seconds tick down.

08:45 PM GMT

43 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

City have a corner which De Bruyne is going to swing in from the left. Flicked on at the near post but cleared, before Rico Lewis fluffs a volley from the edge of the box. City remain frustrated.

08:41 PM GMT

40 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

City produce their first moment of magic: De Bruyne with a delightful through ball into the box for Haaland but the Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio read his dinked finish and stuck out his left mitt to deny to City the opening goal.

Juventus' Italian goalkeeper #29 Michele Di Gregorio saves
Michele Di Gregorio saves from Erling Haaland - Getty Images/Marco Bertorello

08:39 PM GMT

39 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

Man City continue to monopolise possession but much of it is in front of Juventus. They are holding the English champions, but the home crowd do not exactly sound to enthused with what they are watching.

08:37 PM GMT

35 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

Grealish wins a foul in midfield for City. Juventus are dropping into a flat back five which is covering the width of the pitch against City’s front-line, and offering numerical security against Haaland. Lewis is playing superbly in the middle of the park for City, but the forwards are not proving decisive. Haaland tries to swivel on one after a poor clearance but his volley is blocked.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland in action with Juventus' Pierre Kalulu and Manuel Locatelli
Manchester City's Erling Haaland in action with Juventus' Pierre Kalulu and Manuel Locatelli

08:33 PM GMT

32 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

City’s defence at full stretch for the first time in the game as Yildiz runs at them again, but they are spared by the offside flag. Moments earlier, Kyle Walker had burst forward to the byline but once again the Juventus defenders ensured there was no path to Haaland.

08:31 PM GMT

29 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

Better from Juventus with Yildiz getting on the half-turn in midfield, and threading pass through to Vlahovic but the ball ran away from the striker with the angle narrowing. City get their foot on the ball again and work their combinations around the box, but Bernardo’s cross towards Haaland is meat and drink for the Juventus centre-backs.

08:28 PM GMT

27 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

City yet to muster a shot on target, though Guardiola will be pleased that they have looked entirely untroubled defensively. Already this game has the feel of a contest in which one might be enough. Two teams cancelling each other out tactically.

08:24 PM GMT

23 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

Grealish with space to drive through midfield with the ball at his feet, but City slow the ball down. Gundogan with a clever dart beyond the Juventus defence, before Doku’s low cross is cleared. A little more cut and thrust to the game in the last few minutes. Then De Bruyne gets in behind down the left and almost picks out Haaland.

Juventus' Italian midfielder #05 Manuel Locatelli
Juventus’ Italian midfielder Manuel Locatelli tackles - Getty Images/Marco Bertorello

08:22 PM GMT

20 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

Yildiz with the first real shot in anger of the game, shooting across Ederson from 25 yards out and just wide of the far post. The chance came after the Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio bypassed the City press with a diagonal to the right wing.

08:18 PM GMT

17 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

City clip a free-kick into the box from a central position but it will not fall for a mauve shirt in the area. Quick feet from Bernardo to skip into the box and win City a corner after he was found by De Bruyne. The Belgian takes the corner with an outswinger but City cannot win the first contact. Juventus launch it towards Vlahovic but he is outnumbered.

08:15 PM GMT

14 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

De Bruyne took the free-kick short and Juventus cleared the cross. Neither goalkeeper has had a save to make yet. Juventus are happy keeping things tight, and City are happy slowing the game down with possession. More pressing there from Juventus, forcing Dias to kick long.

08:13 PM GMT

12 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

Koopmeiners’ corner was far too floaty and deep. City the enjoy another sustained spell of possession in the Juventus half with Lewis and Bernardo instrumental, and Doku wins a free-kick in a crossing position wide left.

08:10 PM GMT

9 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

Locatelli with a cute pass through midfield to Conceicao, Juventus starting to show more composure after an awkward first few minutes. They also have a corner, after Lewis let a long ball bounce and the lively Conceicao put him under pressure. City will have to defend a set-piece for the first time in the game.

08:07 PM GMT

6 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

City pressing high in numbers as Juventus try to pass out of their penalty area, and on this occasion they manage it. Conceicao with a fine switch of play from right to left, but the flag then went up for offside against Vlahovic. The home team’s brightest moment so far.

08:05 PM GMT

4 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

Nice from Rico Lewis to receive the ball in a pocket of midfield space. Juventus’ goalkeeper Di Gregorio gets the ball down in his six-yard box and tries to get the home team building from the back, but City are soon back on it. This has been a serene start from Guardiola’s team, exactly what you would want on a big European away night. They are keeping the ball and dulling the atmopshere.

08:02 PM GMT

2 minutes: Juventus 0 Man City 0

City play for some territory from kick off, and straight away settle into a lengthy spell of possession. De Bruyne drifting towards the right flank, and as our man in Turin Jason Burt suggested Grealish is operating in a more central position. Doku holding the width wide left.

08:00 PM GMT

KICK OFF!

Man City, playing in their mauve away kit, get the game started.

07:59 PM GMT

The players are out at the Allianz Stadium

Two teams struggling to live up to their history, distant and recent, in the formbook. A chance for both Juventus and City to kickstart their Champions League campaign.

07:52 PM GMT

Grealish playing as a No 8?

It will be interesting to see where Jack Grealish plays for Manchester City. In the warm-up Bernardo Silva was crossing in balls from the right which suggests it might be Grealish back in the middle alongside Ilkay Gundogan.

The experiment of playing him deeper worked well in the win over Nottingham Forest - City’s only victory in their last nine games - which made it all the stranger that he did not start against Crystal Palace at the weekend. Is this the future for Grealish or will be revert to being a winger again when all the City midfielders are fit?

There have, it seems, always been question marks over Grealish but Pep Guardiola still has faith in him and sees him as an important player in the future.

Jack Grealish in the warm up before Juventus vs Man City
Jack Grealish could operate more centrally - Getty Images/Marco Bertorello

07:45 PM GMT

Guardiola on facing Motta

He did really well in Bologna qualifying for the Champions League and playing really good and he is trying to do it here.

The same reason I decided for Stefan [on recalling Ederson]. Everyone involved and trying to change the dynamics.

There are other types of players maybe we would play away in the Champions League but they all played well vs Forest.

07:41 PM GMT

Doku speaking before the game

When you play for team like Man City then there is pressure on every game. Every game is like a final. It’s just another game that we will try and win.

Jeremy Doku arriving with Man City
Jeremy Doku starts for Man City against Juventus - Getty Images/Francesco Scaccianoce

07:31 PM GMT

Guardiola goes back to his No 1 goalkeeper

As ever the PA system at Juventus’s stadium is in overdrive as the teams warm up although no one should complain if you get to run out to AC/DC’s Thunderstruck as the home players have just done, complete with light show...

For Manchester City, the big news is the return of Ederson in goal. The Brazilian has not had the best of seasons but it always felt slightly odd that he was dropped in favour of Stefan Ortega who is certainly not at his level.

Ederson is one of three changes from the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace with Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku also starting. It suddenly looks like a stronger City line-up.

Man City goalkeeper Ederson warms up
Man City goalkeeper Ederson warms up - Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane

07:21 PM GMT

A milestone night for Bernardo

07:08 PM GMT

Mathues Nunes’ personalised shinpads

Matheus Nunes' shinpads in the City dressing room
Matheus Nunes’ shinpads in the City dressing room - Getty Images/Francesco Scaccianoce

07:01 PM GMT

Guardiola wants City to slow down

What will save us is the way we play. And now we are a moment that we attack so quick, and we do a lot of things not in the right tempo that we lose the ball.

We have to be so simple and basic to what we are as a team, and that confidence going back to the simple things, just have the ball and pass the ball, in the right foot, in the right tempo, the simple things do it better.

And after that, you will get the confidence, because you cannot imagine how you regain the confidence when you make an extra thousand, million passes, and you are involved in the game, you are involved together. That helps us to be who we are.

Pep Guardiola arrives with Man City
Pep Guardiola wants City to play extra passes - Getty Images/Francesco Scaccianoc

06:54 PM GMT

Juventus team and subs

06:53 PM GMT

City’s central midfield a concern

A blue-chip Champions League away game and Man City will kick off without a specialist deep-lying midfielder. I suspect Rico Lewis will tuck in from left-back - leaving Walker, Dias and Gvardiol as a back three - next to Ilkay Gundogan. Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva will play ahead of them in a midfield box or diamond. Perhaps Gundogan and Bernardo will rotate between high and low. Once again, no natural ball-winner in there. City do have more threat in the forward line though with Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku back on the wings either side of Erling Haaland.

06:47 PM GMT

Man City team and subs: Doku and Grealish restored to team

06:41 PM GMT

Thiago Motta on facing City

We have prepared to give it our all in the game, carefully studying what we must do and what we must not do against such a huge opponent.

I cannot pass judgement on their current situation, but this is a team that has proven their immense value over the years.

I have enormous respect for them and for their coach Pep Guardiola, for whom facts simply speak for themselves, as he has managed to win everything and consistently.

We know that Manchester City want to attack and keep the ball. We will have to defend well and show great quality when we have possession.

Thiago Motta of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League
Juventus manager Thiago Motta - Getty Images/Daniele Badolato

06:33 PM GMT

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06:32 PM GMT

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06:31 PM GMT

Man City’s flaky defence meets a blunt Juventus attack

Who said the new Champions League format would extinguish all jeopardy? Owing partly to their own failings, the final three matches of Manchester City’s league phase have much riding on them.

City are currently 20th in the table on eight points from five games, with tonight’s trip to Juventus and an away match at Paris St-Germain their next two fixtures. Finishing outside the top eight places which secure a spot in the last 16 is a real possibility for City, with two extra games in February looming if they do miss out.

Were they to lose against Juventus and PSG - two of the four clubs below them above the cutline in 24th - City might well require three points from their final game against Club Brugge just to stay in the tournament.

City’s away results domestically do not bode well. Pep Guardiola’s team are without a win on their travels since a scratchy 2-1 victory at Wolves on October 20, and have shipped 14 goals in their last six away games across all competitions.

Given City’s defensive instability, and the continued absence of Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake through injury, Juventus’ struggles in front of goal are a source of comfort. Thiago Motta replaced Max Allegri as head coach in the summer with the promise of more modern, enterprising and structured attacking football, but things have been rocky after a bright beginning to the campaign.

Juventus’ results are a funny old read, losing just one match in all competitions but drawing seven of their last nine. They have not created two expected goals or more in a single match since a 2-2 draw at Parma at the end of October. Motta has not been helped by a lengthy injury list, with just four outfield players on his bench during the drab goalless draw at Villa Park last time out in the Champions League.

Full team news on the way shortly.