Manchester City 0 Juventus 2: City player ratings as Manchester City fall in Turin | OneFootball

Manchester City 0

Juventus 2 ( Dusan Vlahovic 53′, Weston McKennie 75′)

Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City went down 2-nil to Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side needed a win but was denied by a resolute Juventus outfit. The defeat now means it is unlikely that Pep Guardiola’s side will finish in the 8 of the Champions League league phase standings. It also leaves them precariously placed to finish in the top 24 of the table.

First half

The game kicked off with Manchester City looking poised in possession and Juventus looking well-organised defensively. There was little action of note in the opening 20 minutes but Pep Guardiola’s side had started the game well.

The first chance of note came in the 20th minute. A shot from Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz flashed wide of the far post from the edge of the area. Ederson was scrambling but the shot just went wide.

The game continued with City dominant in possession and Juventus looking to break with pace. Manchester City’s first chance of note came in the 39th minute. A sublime ball from Kevin De Bruyne slipped in Erling Haaland. City’s number 9’s chip was superbly saved by Juve keeper Michele Di Gregorio, who stuck out a glove at the perfect moment to deny Haaland, giving Manchester City the lead.

The rest of the first half played out without any major incidents. All told it was a dull first half, but the positive for Pep Guardiola was his team did look to resemble themselves in possession.

Second half

The second half looked to have resumed in a familiar pattern. Kevin De Bruyne carved out a good chance for Ilkay Gundogan to start the half but his shot was well blocked by the Juventus defence.

But it would be Juventus who would take the lead in the 53rd minute. First Ederson made saved well from a Federico Gatti scissor kick. A poor clearance from Ruben Dias allowed Juventus to put another ball back into the box. Dusan Vlahovic was on hand to head home to give Juventus the lead. His header barely made it over the line but it did to give the hosts the lead. Credit must go to Federico Gatti as it was his drive from defence that began the passage of play that led to the goal.

Pep Guardiola’s side responded but saw a host of shots blocked after some desperate Juventus defending. Manchester City needed to find something to keep their hopes of a top 8 finish alive in the final half-hour of the game.

Pep Guardiola’s side continued to press for an equaliser. They saw a series of shots blocked before Kevin De Bruyne fired a low drive wide in the 65th minute.

Two minutes later Ilkay Gundogan saw a fine effort from just outside the box well saved by Di Gregorio.

Manchester City looked to be the team most likely to score next but it was Juventus who doubled their lead in the 75th minute. A sweeping counterattack split open City’s defence, something we’ve seen all too often lately, which played in Timothy Weah. His initial cross was blocked by Rico Lewis, but he got another cross into the box, which was well-finished by Weston McKennie. Once again issues that have plagued Pep Guardiola’s side over recent weeks resurfaced and were clear to see.

Manchester City tried to get back into the game but couldn’t break down a stubborn Juventus defence. At the final whistle City’s Champions League campaign hangs by a thread with two tough fixtures to come.

Here are the City player ratings from a tough night for Pep Guardiola’s side at the Allianz Stadium.

City player ratings

Ederson- 4/10: He looked nervous in goal and I thought he could’ve done better for Juve’s first goal. Not his best night.

Kyle Walker- 4.5/10: I thought for 50 minutes he looked better than he fell away. He needed to step up and failed to do so over 90 minutes. His effort to get back for Juve’s second goal was dismal.

Ruben Dias- 6/10: He tried hard but not his fault City went down. Can’t give him higher than a 6 based on what unfolded.

Josko Gvardiol- 6/10: Same as Dias. Did what he had to do but can’t give him higher than a 6.

Rico Lewis- 6/10: I feel for Lewis. He’s been asked to play a role that requires too much from a young and tired player.

Ilkay Gundogan- 6.5/10: Had his moments and saw one shot well-saved.

Kevin De Bruyne- 6.5/10: De Bruyne tried all he could to lift his team and was City’s most creative player. His final ball was just off but can’t knock his effort.

Bernardo Silva- 6/10: Toiled away and had several shots blocked but not his best day.

Jeremy Doku- 7/10: Manchester City’s most dangerous player on the night. Did all he could before being substituted. A lively display.

Jack Grealish- 6/10: Started in midfield but finished the game on the left wing before he was substituted. Did some of the midfield grunt work but didn’t offer a lot in possession.

Erling Haaland- 4/10: Had one chance all game that was well saved. But I will say he needs to do more and get more involved in games like that as he was anonymous for the majority of the game.

Substitutes

Savinho- N/A: Not on long enough to mark.

Matheus Nunes-N/A: Not on long enough to mark.