Mario Mandzukic on the mark as Manchester City lose in Turin

The Italian playmaker conceded Juventus were made to work for the 1-0 win over Manchester City that sealed progress from Champions League Group D.

Joe Hart was forced off with a hamstring injury as Manchester City lost 1-0 to Juventus in the Champions League in a blow that adds to a growing injury crisis at the Etihad.

Pellegrini has not given up hope of reclaiming top spot, but his side must beat Borussia Monchengladbach and Juventus will need to lose at Sevilla.

“It is also important to win the group against Juventus away because that is a good test for the future in the Champions League”.

City were guilty of having spurned a number of good chances in Wednesday’s game and Toure also says the visitors could have clinched at least a point had they been more ruthless in front of goal.

“We hope we don’t lose him, but for if for some reason he cannot play I have trust in Willy Caballero”. “But we had chances and didn’t score”.

Pellegrini said: “Everyone criticises this club for the performance in Europe”.

The only goal of the contest came in the 18th minute when Mario Mandzukic shrugged off Nicolas Otamendi to side-foot home a lovely cross from Alex Sandro.

The 29-year-old said: “Manchester City is a team full of great champions”.

Unfortunately for City they would ultimately fail to make the breakthrough on the night, handing prime advantage back to the Bianconeri in the pursuit of top spot in the group.

Silva could return against Southampton, but captain Kompany has already been ruled out.

“Vincent doesn’t have any chance to play this week because he’s not started running already, so he has two weeks more”. “We are two teams that could take it easy but we will play hard to get first place”. The minimum we deserved was a draw but they scored a goal and I thought there was a foul before Mandzukic finished the play. We are playing a team that has suffered a very heavy defeat in the Premier League.

The quarter-finals are now a minimum target and Pellegrini knows his side may have a better chance of getting to that stage if they advance as group winners.