Injury problems mount for Manchester City after defeat at Juventus

“They will be intent on avoiding back-to-back defeats following a disappointing defeat to Stoke last time out”.

Sevilla, Europa League winners in each of the last two seasons, now must beat Juve in their final game and hope Gladbach don’t defeat City just to claim the consolation of dropping into the secondary competition.

City were briefly left with 10 men when Jesus Navas fell under a challenge from Sandro, and Juventus brazenly capitalised only for Hart to produce a great reflex on Mandzukic after he was set up by Lichsteiner’s header. I’m not satisfied. The game was never going to be easy in a tough stadium.

AS Roma, who are fourth in Serie A, three points behind Inter, are still well positioned to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League despite the spanking at Barcelona.

City, who then lost Hart to injury, pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but they just lacked the killer touch in the final third.

“I think it was a very good game for both teams”, City coach Manuel Pellegrini said.

“Hats off to the lads, they’ve gifted me qualification with a game to spare”, said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. “I hope our team will continue and have a little bit more luck in the round of 16”. Juve looked more incisive but could only manage one goal through Mario Manzukic after 18 minutes.

City, already through, had the first opportunity but Fernandinho’s low drive from the edge of the penalty area flew narrowly wide, here on Wednesday.

Once again, City were at their most vulnerable having nearly scored – Alvaro Morata, on for a limping Mandzukic, broke free of the away defence and his lofted attempt over Hart was turned on to the post by Stefano Sturaro.

The England goalkeeper clutched his leg after making the block with an outstretched boot and limped off nine minutes from time.

Yaya Toure believes City have the squad to cope with these problems however, and also reaffirmed how they must quickly turn their attention back to the league.

While Aguero is now back in action, City remain without a number of other senior players in captain Vincent Kompany, playmaker David Silva, striker Wilfried Bony and defenders Pablo Zabaleta and Eliaquim Mangala.

“We were not through before tonight as Sevilla still had a chance, so we were at risk – City are one of the best teams in Europe”.

“We will see tomorrow”.