Sterling not to blame for Juventus loss – Pellegrini

However, the deadlock was broken in the 57th minute when Kompany climbed above Chiellini from a corner and the Italian was unable to prevent the ball bouncing off his head and into the net. Still, City need to work on things if they want to have long run in the Champions League tournament.

They had a great chance to take a grip on the game in the opening minutes when Yaya Toure set up Raheem Sterling but the winger wasted the chance when his weak shot was saved by goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon’s feet.

“I don’t think this result is only Raheem”, said the City manager. “The reality is that two very good clubs will not qualify and we will be fighting for every point to make sure one of them are not us”.

Buffon kept Juventus in the game with his terrific double-save, before Mandzukic drew the visitors level.

It was an unexpected defeat for the Citizens after their impressive start to the season but the Chilean is not concerned.

“We are not thinking where we are going to get to in this year’s Champions League, we are just thinking about tonight”, claimed the former Real Madrid boss.

“In the league, I think you’re allowed a bit more, not mistakes, but some moments when you are a bit less focused”.

“We have injuries; it’s hard with the amount of games and intensity of the Premier League not to have injuries”. When they did create a clear chance, Wilfried Bony sliced wide from a promising position just outside the box.

A Giorgio Chiellini own goal had put the Premier League side ahead in their first match of the 2015-16 competition, but last season’s finalists hit back through Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata.

Manchester City feared the loss of three major players for the fixture against Juventus, which has now dropped to just one missing element from the team. “We played better football but Juventus had the experience to defend and scored attractive goals”.

Defeat to Massimiliano Allegri’s side continued a frustrating sequence for City, who have been notoriously slow starters in Europe over recent seasons, albeit against some illustrious opponents.