Hart injured as Juventus down City
Turin - A first-half strike from Mario Mandzukic saw last
season's beaten finalists Juventus into the last 16 of the
Champions League on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over injury-
hit Manchester City.
City, already qualified following their 3-1 win at Sevilla last
time out, travelled to Turin looking to secure top spot in Group
D as well as avenge their 2-1 defeat to the Bianconeri at the
Etihad Stadium in September.
But a second successive defeat to the Italian champions
means City now look likely to finish second behind Juve in the
group.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini said beating Juventus on their
own turf would also be a gauge of his side's Champions
League-winning potential, but it quickly became clear their
current injury woes would play to Juve's advantage.
City forwards Wilfried Bony, David Silva and Samir Nasri are
all still sidelined but the absence of Belgian centre-back and
captain Vincent Kompany was most felt as Juventus went two
points clear of City ahead of the sides' final games next
month.
Juventus, who deployed a 3-5-2 amid injury concerns of their
own, survived an early scare when Kevin De Bruyne was
allowed to fire a cross into the area from the right following a
corner and Fernandinho unleashed a drive that spun just wide
with Gianluigi Buffon at full stretch.
Also Read: Depleted Juve set to reshuffle for City visit
Juve were let off again after Giorgio Chiellini got tangled up
with Yaya Toure in the area and Fernandinho pounced, only to
flash over from 10 yards out.
But moments later the visitors were stunned when Alex Sandro
fired a delightful cross into the path of Mandzukic, who
muscled his way past Nicolas Otamendi to finish.
Juve could have had their second six minutes later when Paul
Pogba rode a challenge to stay on his feet deep on the left, but
his drive across goal was stopped by Gael Clichy.
City were briefly left with 10 men when Jesus Navas fell under
a challenge from Sandro, and Juventus brazenly capitalised.
Sighting Stephan Lichtsteiner's run, Sandro promptly delivered
and when the Swiss international headed into the path of
Mandzukic, the Croatian's first-timer brought a great reflex
save from Joe Hart.
Toure provided brief hope five minutes from half-time when he
spun in the area only to fire a tame shot wide of Buffon's far
post.
At the other end, Hart produced a great save with his arm to
thwart Lichtsteiner after he was sent through on the right side
by Mandzukic.
Juve started the second half brightly but City would go on to
scare the hosts on several occasions.
Fernando rose high above the Juve defence at a corner to fire
in a header which Buffon turned onto the post and then
smothered while under pressure from Martin Demichelis.
But in open play, Juve were a class apart.
Alvaro Morata replaced Mandzukic on 54 minutes and
moments later the Spaniard sent a chip towards the far post
that Paulo Dybala turned onto the upright.
Hart was kept busy for the remainder of the half, before being
replaced by Willy Caballero with 10 minutes remaining after
suffering a suspected injury.
The England 'keeper kept his composure to stop Morata just
inside the area after the Spaniard had dribbled his way past
two players and into a scoring position while ignoring Dybala
to his left.
At the other end Raheem Sterling, who had replaced Sergio
Aguero on 69 minutes, came close when his first-time effort
from a tight angle spun just wide of Buffon's far post.
- AFP
season's beaten finalists Juventus into the last 16 of the
Champions League on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over injury-
hit Manchester City.
City, already qualified following their 3-1 win at Sevilla last
time out, travelled to Turin looking to secure top spot in Group
D as well as avenge their 2-1 defeat to the Bianconeri at the
Etihad Stadium in September.
But a second successive defeat to the Italian champions
means City now look likely to finish second behind Juve in the
group.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini said beating Juventus on their
own turf would also be a gauge of his side's Champions
League-winning potential, but it quickly became clear their
current injury woes would play to Juve's advantage.
City forwards Wilfried Bony, David Silva and Samir Nasri are
all still sidelined but the absence of Belgian centre-back and
captain Vincent Kompany was most felt as Juventus went two
points clear of City ahead of the sides' final games next
month.
Juventus, who deployed a 3-5-2 amid injury concerns of their
own, survived an early scare when Kevin De Bruyne was
allowed to fire a cross into the area from the right following a
corner and Fernandinho unleashed a drive that spun just wide
with Gianluigi Buffon at full stretch.
Also Read: Depleted Juve set to reshuffle for City visit
Juve were let off again after Giorgio Chiellini got tangled up
with Yaya Toure in the area and Fernandinho pounced, only to
flash over from 10 yards out.
But moments later the visitors were stunned when Alex Sandro
fired a delightful cross into the path of Mandzukic, who
muscled his way past Nicolas Otamendi to finish.
Juve could have had their second six minutes later when Paul
Pogba rode a challenge to stay on his feet deep on the left, but
his drive across goal was stopped by Gael Clichy.
City were briefly left with 10 men when Jesus Navas fell under
a challenge from Sandro, and Juventus brazenly capitalised.
Sighting Stephan Lichtsteiner's run, Sandro promptly delivered
and when the Swiss international headed into the path of
Mandzukic, the Croatian's first-timer brought a great reflex
save from Joe Hart.
Toure provided brief hope five minutes from half-time when he
spun in the area only to fire a tame shot wide of Buffon's far
post.
At the other end, Hart produced a great save with his arm to
thwart Lichtsteiner after he was sent through on the right side
by Mandzukic.
Juve started the second half brightly but City would go on to
scare the hosts on several occasions.
Fernando rose high above the Juve defence at a corner to fire
in a header which Buffon turned onto the post and then
smothered while under pressure from Martin Demichelis.
But in open play, Juve were a class apart.
Alvaro Morata replaced Mandzukic on 54 minutes and
moments later the Spaniard sent a chip towards the far post
that Paulo Dybala turned onto the upright.
Hart was kept busy for the remainder of the half, before being
replaced by Willy Caballero with 10 minutes remaining after
suffering a suspected injury.
The England 'keeper kept his composure to stop Morata just
inside the area after the Spaniard had dribbled his way past
two players and into a scoring position while ignoring Dybala
to his left.
At the other end Raheem Sterling, who had replaced Sergio
Aguero on 69 minutes, came close when his first-time effort
from a tight angle spun just wide of Buffon's far post.
- AFP
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