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MANCHESTER CITY is confronted with a daunting task to restore their past stature.
This game – set against the majestic Alps – exemplified the extent of their decline since late October.
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Dusan Vlahovic’s header that slipped past Ederson, combined with Weston McKennie’s volley, has left Pep Guardiola’s squad with merely one victory in their last ten outings.
Among those, seven resulted in losses, and the manager must rejuvenate his fatigued players ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Recently, they have breezed through the Champions League group stages effortlessly.
However, when the tournament resumes in a month, securing a spot in the top 24 is by no means guaranteed.
Their upcoming encounter against age-old rivals Paris Saint-Germain, who are also in dire need of points, will be followed by a home fixture against Club Brugge.
It’s astounding to think they were crowned champions of Europe just a year and a half ago, now finding themselves in a battle to secure a place in the Last 16 play-offs — a worrying decline indeed.
Currently, City appears to be devoid of confidence, leaking goals at an alarming rate and failing to capitalize on their chances.
The last six weeks have been a nightmare for Pep, who, remember, signed a two-year contract amidst all this chaos.
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A trip to Turin might seem daunting, yet Juve have lost four of their last six European outings at their Allianz Stadium.
Thiago Motta’s side began this match just below City in the standings, barely hanging onto a play-off spot.
Beleaguered Man City manager Pep Guardiola engaged in an odd interview regarding Rico Lewis’s red card
Guardiola reinstated first-choice keeper Ederson, who had been sidelined due to inconsistent performances in the prior Champions League match against Feyenoord.
That game – where they squandered a three-goal lead in just 15 minutes – cast doubt on their ability to progress in the tournament after January.
Pep once again had to patch up his squad – utilizing Rico Lewis as a left-back after an eventful show at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
City maintained possession, as Guardiola instructed, underscoring their need to return to the basics.
However, they struggled to generate significant chances while at the back, they were fortunate to see a shot from Kenan Yildiz narrowly miss.
The Turkish winger also outstripped City captain Kyle Walker on multiple occasions.
First-half challenges
English defender Walker can no longer depend on his pace as he once did, opting instead to rely on Ruben Dias for a crucial block.
Meanwhile, City failed to register a noteworthy attempt in the first half hour – the first time this has happened in a European match in four years.
Erling Haaland had a shot blocked by Teun Koopmeiners, which fell into the grasp of Michele di Gregorio.
They faced each other again shortly after as the Norwegian pursued a classic pass from Kevin De Bruyne.
Haaland attempted to lift the ball over the home keeper, but he managed to get just enough on it to keep it out, and the best opportunity of the half slipped away.
Guardiola would have been pleased with the possession his team maintained but somewhat concerned about the dearth of creativity and their occasionally sluggish display.
Juventus takes the lead
After allowing seven goals in their two preceding matches in this competition, at least they managed to keep the home team scoreless.
Guardiola recognized that failing to secure a victory here could jeopardize their hopes of finishing in the top eight and qualifying directly for the Last 16.
A two-legged play-off in February is the last thing a squad already burdened with injuries requires.
Not surprisingly, City’s most significant moments came through De Bruyne, with his low cross shortly after the restart finding Ilkay Gundogan – yet the German’s weak shot was blocked.
Those missed chances proved detrimental as Juventus took the lead when Federico Gatti’s acrobatic effort was parried by Ederson.
Josko Gvardiol mishandled a clearance, allowing Yildiz to cross it back into the area.
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Another Gvardiol mistake
Vlahovic leaped highest, and while Ederson was able to push it around the post, goal line technology confirmed it had already crossed the line.
It was a matter of mere millimeters, but it was an avoidable goal to concede, marking another blunder from Gvardiol, who is currently going through a tough phase.
City recognized the urgent need to respond, but Juventus stood firm in defense to protect their lead.
Bernardo Silva had a prime chance thwarted while De Bruyne’s long-range attempt narrowly missed the target.
Di Gregorio performed a full-stretch dive to deflect Gundogan’s shot from the edge of the box around the post.
Yet, as they sought an equalizer, they were caught out on a counterattack as substitute Timothy Weah – son of former City player George – surged down the right.
His cross found US international colleague McKennie, whose volley proved too powerful for Ederson.
