Manchester City’s dismal run of form showed no signs of abating as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The loss, courtesy of second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and substitute Weston McKennie, has left Pep Guardiola‘s side teetering on the brink of disaster.
City’s seventh defeat in 10 games across all competitions has plunged them into 22nd place in the Champions League standings, with only one win to their name.
The prospect of missing out on the knockout stages is now a very real one, and Guardiola will be desperate to arrest this alarming slump.
The visitors dominated possession for large periods but lacked the creativity and penetration to break down a resolute Juventus defense.
Thiago Motta‘s side, notorious for their ability to grind out draws, showed little inclination to take risks, and it took 20 minutes for them to create the first serious chance of the game.
Kenan Yildiz cut inside from the left and shot from distance, but his effort bounced narrowly wide. City’s first threat came when Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan combined to release Jeremy Doku, but his low ball was cut out by Federico Gatti.
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As the game wore on, Yildiz continued to pose a threat, turning nicely and playing in Vlahovic, who got his footing all wrong.
Yildiz had another attempt, but Ruben Dias got back to block.
Erling Haaland’s first chance of the night came to him too quickly from a ricocheted clearance, and he was unable to trouble Michele Di Gregorio.
However, the Norway striker brought the best out of the keeper when City’s patience finally looked like being rewarded after De Bruyne played him through.
Haaland had little room to work with, but lifted a delicate shot that Di Gregorio did well to claw away.
In a lively few moments, Danilo then went close at the other end, but Ederson, back in the side after three games on the bench, comfortably saved.
However, the Brazil goalkeeper had a moment to forget as the game burst into life when Juve took the lead eight minutes after the break.
De Bruyne lost possession, and Gatti powered forward into City territory, continuing his run after playing out wide.
Gatti then connected with a scissor kick as the ball was swung into the area by Manuel Locatelli.
Ederson parried, but Josko Gvardiol cleared only as far as Yildiz, who crossed for Vlahovic at the far post.
Ederson should have kept out his header, but the ball slipped from his grasp and dropped agonisingly over the line.
City started to show a bit more urgency, with Gundogan having a shot blocked and De Bruyne firing wide. Gundogan then brought a good save from Di Gregorio.
However, the visitors were made to rue those misses as Juve took a firm grip 15 minutes from time with a fine volley from substitute McKennie.
Rico Lewis initially did well to block a cross from Timothy Weah, but he could not prevent him delivering a second time.
He found McKennie in clear space in front of goal, and he launched into a fierce acrobatic effort that gave Ederson no chance.
The damage was done, and City were unable to respond, leaving them with yet more questions to answer.
