Manchester City’s struggles in the Champions League deepened on Wednesday night as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.
This latest loss marks City’s third consecutive game without a win, raising alarm bells for the Premier League side as they seek to regain their form.
After a tightly contested first half that saw neither side break the deadlock, it was Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic who finally opened the scoring in the 52nd minute.
Vlahovic rose above the City defense to meet a corner kick with a powerful header that seemed destined for the back of the net.
Despite Ederson’s valiant attempt to keep it out, the ball crossed the line, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and putting City on the back foot.
City struggled to find their rhythm in response, and their frustrations grew as they attempted to break through a resolute Juventus defense.
However, in the 75th minute, the situation took a turn for the worse when Weston McKennie made it 2-0 for the home side.
Following a quick counterattack, McKennie found himself with space in the City 18-yard box and executed a perfectly timed volley that left Ederson with no chance.
The ease with which Juventus exploited City’s defensive vulnerabilities raised further concerns for manager Pep Guardiola’s squad.
“This is not where we want to be,” Guardiola said in his post-match interview.
“We need to focus and improve quickly. We’ve been too easy to play against, and we must address that.”
The defeat leaves Manchester City in a precarious position within their Champions League group, struggling to find their footing after three games without a win.
With mounting pressure, City will have to regroup quickly as they prepare for a crucial domestic clash against Liverpool.
As Juventus celebrates a vital victory that boosts their chances of advancing in the Champions League, Manchester City must find their winning touch soon if they hope to turn their season around and silence the growing criticism surrounding their recent performances.