Juventus secured a crucial three points in their Champions League qualification campaign on Wednesday evening as they beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium, extending Pep Guardiola's side's recent miserable run.
The result means Juventus climb to 14th in the league phase table with 11 points, meaning they trail the top eight by just two points, while Man City worryingly fall to 22nd with eight points, leaving them in danger of failing to qualify for the knockout rounds with Paris Saint-Germain and Stuttgart just a point behind in 25th and 26th.
The first 45 minutes saw an extremely cagey affair between two sides desperate to secure all three points, with each managing just three shots and one on target, with Man City coming closest to breaking the deadlock when Michele Di Gregorio superbly saved Erling Haaland's attempted chip just before half time, keeping the scores level heading into the break.
There was much more attacking intent from the two teams in the opening stages of the second half, and it was Juve who managed to open the scoring just eight minutes after the restart when Dusan Vlahovic's powerful header slipped through Ederson's grasp and narrowly crossed the line before the goalkeeper could clear, meaning the hosts took a crucial lead.
Man City were dominant following the opener as they searched for the all-important equaliser, but a swift counterattack from the Old Lady caught the visitors off guard, with American substitutes Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie combining as Weah crossed for McKennie to scissor-kick in a second with 15 minutes remaining.
The visitors pushed to get back into the game as the clock ticked towards its end, but a lack of urgency, summarising Man City's performances in recent weeks, enabled Juventus to comfortably keep a clean sheet as they secured the 2-0 win.
JUVENTUS VS. MANCHESTER CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Dusan Vlahovic goal vs. Manchester City (53rd min, Juventus 1-0 Manchester City)
Juventus take the lead over Man City 🫣
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2024
How will Pep Guardiola's men respond...? 🤔
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/d7xPOxByen
Juventus take the lead, Vlahovic's header creeps over the line!
Federico Gatti nearly puts the Bianconeri ahead with an attempted scissor kick, but the hosts quickly recover possession with Kenan Yildiz on the left after Josko Gvardiol's poor clearance.
Yildiz is given plenty of time to set his cross by Kyle Walker, and the winger stands up a cross to the back post, where Vlahovic rises highest and powers his header towards goal.
Ederson makes an instinctive save, but the power on the header sees the ball creep over the line before the keeper can push it clear, giving Juve an important lead.
Weston McKennie goal vs. Manchester City (75th min, Juventus 2-0 Manchester City)
Juventus double their lead over Man City 😳
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2024
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/okSptReD23
McKennie scissor-kicks in a second for Juventus!
The hosts rapidly counter as Man City's midfield has gone completely missing, allowing McKennie to collect the ball in acres of space before spreading it wide to Weah.
Weah drives forward, with his initial cross blocked by Rico Lewis, but his second perfectly finds McKennie inside the area, with the midfielder beautifully scissor-kicking in to add Juve's second.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MANUEL LOCATELLI
© Imago
Locatelli may not have been the most glamorous player on the pitch, not playing a hand with either a goal or assist, but the midfielder was instrumental in all of Juventus's positive work.
The midfielder was key in Juve being able to play their way from the back, including four accurate long balls, while he also made two key passes in the attacking third.
Locatelli also proved his worth in the defensive side of the game, winning seven duels, making six tackles, blocking two shots and making four clearances.
JUVENTUS VS. MANCHESTER CITY MATCH STATS
Possession: Juventus 31%-69% Manchester City
Shots: Juventus 10-12 Manchester City
Shots on target: Juventus 5-3 Manchester City
Corners: Juventus 2-6 Manchester City
Fouls: Juventus 8-7 Manchester City
BEST STATS
Man City have conceded 23 goals in their last 10 games across all competitions 😬 pic.twitter.com/yA73x2VF3c
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2024
Since the start of November, Manchester City have conceded more goals (21) across all competitions than any other team from Europe's big five leagues. 🤯#UCL
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 11, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
The result leaves Juventus 14th in the Champions League table with 11 points, just two behind the top eight, and they will now aim to secure wins against Club Brugge and Benfica in January to secure their automatic qualification to the last 16.
As for Man City, their dismal run extends to just one win in their last 10 across all competitions, and they will look to end that streak when they take on Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Ellis Stevens
