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Pep Guardiola’s side suffered their seventh defeat in 10 matches when they were beaten 2-0 away at Juventus, leaving them on the brink of an early exit from the Champions League.
For all the pre-match talk of legacy and fighting mentality, City looked jittery and slow as they tried to gain some control of the game by retaining possession. Too often they failed to create openings for Erling Haaland, and the forward only had one good chance to score in the first half, but it was denied by Michele Di Gregorio.
Mid-low block play frustrated City and Juve opened up more in the second half, pushing further up the pitch and opening the scoring with Dusan Vlahovic’s header. City’s defence, which looked shaky at times, failed to clear the danger properly and was penalised.
The hosts added a second with a brilliant counter-attack that finished off American duo Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie with the former Leeds United midfielder capping a fine night for the Serie A side.
Relive the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Manchester City’s fall from grace puts them at risk of utter embarrassment
It amounts to a measly seven for Pep Guardiola. The manager who started the season expecting to secure his seventh Premier League title, has instead now lost seven of his last 10 games. The team that used to be on top Champions League group on a yearly basis are now 22nd in the extended pool. There will be no place in the top eight Manchester City. The worst case scenario is that there won’t even be a February playoff. Outside of the Premier League title race, they could drop out of the Champions League altogether.
The blip turns into an extended drop. Juventus they were the latest to exploit City’s weakness and, in the process, improve their own fortunes. The glamor game was a bottom half clash, 22nd vs 20th. But Dusan Vlahovic’s header and Weston McKenney’s volley lifted Juve to 14th, above City and Real Madrid. There may be life in the Old Lady, if not necessarily in the old dogs of the City.
Mike JonesDecember 11, 2024 10:14 p.m
FT Juventus 2-0 Man City
Man City are now in 22nd place in the Champions League table and are just a point away from missing out on the play-off round.
With two games to go, City enter their last chance.
Mike JonesDecember 11, 2024, 9:56 p.m
Full time! Juventus 2-0 Man City
Full-time whistle blows. Man City were beaten and their hopes of making the top eight took a heavy hit tonight.
Juve had a better game plan. They defended well and City did not threaten at the top of the pitch. Pep Guardiola has many questions to answer.
Mike JonesDecember 11, 2024, 9:51 p.m
Juventus 2-0 Man City
87 mins: This result will be bad for Man City. Their confidence has been badly damaged and they are now in danger of crashing out of the Champions League at the first hurdle.
Mike JonesDecember 11, 2024, 9:45 p.m
Juventus 2-0 Man City
84 mins: Bernardo Silva is shown a yellow card for letting his frustration spill over by lunging at Federico Gatti and toying with Michele Di Gregorio.
Mike JonesDecember 11, 2024 9:43 p.m
Juventus 2-0 Man City
81 mins: Juventus are very comfortable on the counter and now have the cushion to keep City at bay. The guests push more and more, but time is against them.
Grealish wins a free-kick high up the pitch, but there’s no sense of inevitability in this case. Instead, it would be surprising if City pulled one.
Mike JonesDecember 11, 2024, 9:40 p.m
Juventus 2-0 Man City
78 mins: Can City get back into the game? If they can, they will have to do it quickly. Mateo Kovačić was sent to warm up, and Savinjo is ready to enter.
Mike JonesDecember 11, 2024, 9:35 p.m
GOAL! Juventus 2-0 Man City (Weston McKennie, 75′)
City are caught on the counter-attack and Juventus’ substitutions are doing the damage. Weston McKennie sends the ball to Timothy Weah who easily enters the penalty area.
His first cross is blocked by Rico Lewis but the second finds McKennie coming into the area and he sends the hosts further ahead!
Mike JonesDecember 11, 2024, 9:33 p.m
Juventus 1-0 Man City
72 minutes: Kyle Walker puts in a cross from the right and sends the ball to the left where Josko Guardiol arrives. He collects the ball and wins the corner.
City play short and set up De Bruyne with a long range shot. He puts it over the bar.
Mike JonesDecember 11, 2024, 9:29 p.m
‘Signs of life and urgency from the city’
“Signs of life and urgency from the City.
“They’re starting to convert possession into shots, they’re starting to get people into the box. And yet it may be too late. They made many comebacks earlier in the season – albeit closer to the start of games – but there have been fewer of late.
“This is a test of spirit, self-confidence and aging legs. Guardiola said Phil Foden is ready to play a few minutes so he can get a late cameo.”
Richard Jolly in TurinDecember 11, 2024, 9:28 p.m