Match Reports: Juventus 1-0 Manchester City

Mandzukic got Juve’s first goal when they came from behind to secure a 2-1 win in Manchester on matchday one and the Croatia striker’s 18th-minute strike was enough to seal the points this time around.

“We had chances to score but at the end of the day, it was 1-0 for them and we have to bounce back in the next game”.

Here we explore how Manchester City may line up against Southampton on Saturday at the Etihad.

Incredibly, City have not lost two league games in a row at home in seven years. Juventus clinched their spot in the Champions League knockout round.

They must now defeat Borussia Moenchengladbach and hope Sevilla beat Juventus in the closing round to make a breakthrough, and City manager Manuel Pellegrini put a positive spin on his side’s chances.

Juventus visits Sevilla in the final match, with City hosting ‘Gladbach.

“Big teams must try to play to a high performance in both competitions”.

But the City boss reckons if Arsenal and Manchester United crash out of the Champions League at the group stages – as both are in danger of – it will boost their rivals’ chances of winning the title.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic captained PSG as he returned to face Malmo, his home- town team and the club where his glittering career began, and he was among the scorers in a 5-0 romp that took the French champions through from Group A.

Pellegrini was asked whether the back-to-back victories meant Juventus were a stronger side than Manchester City.

“In the first half and second half we had chances to draw, but we have to bounce back in the next game that is coming. We hope that we will not lose him but if for some reason he can not play on Saturday I have a lot of trust in Willy Caballero”.

The England forward looked set to keep City in control of the race for top spot but he scuffed a left-footed shot wide from De Bruyne’s low cross with the goal gaping.

Juve were let off again after Giorgio Chiellini got tangled up with Yaya Toure in the area and Fernandinho pounced, only to flash over from 10 yards out.

Pogba could not be contained and a brilliant backheel to release Mandzukic caught City completely unaware, but the visitors were rescued by an offside flag.

There was no escape after 18 minutes as Alex Sandro curled in a hanging cross and Mandzukic shook off the attention of Nicolas Otamendi to volley past Hart.

The Italians were impressive on the night and Paulo Dybala twice went close to doubling the lead, being denied by Hart and a post.

Hart was seen walking quite freely as he left the Juventus Stadium, claiming his hamstring is ‘just a little bit tight’.