Following on from their 2-all draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday Manchester City’s focus now turns to the UEFA Champions League. Up next for Pep Guardiola’s side is a tough test against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Based on City’s recent run of form and injury situation a tough match awaits the world champions. But the game does loom as a pivotal one in Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League league phase campaign.
As it stands currently, Manchester City sits two points behind 8th place AS Monaco in 17th on the [UEFA Champions League league phase table](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/standings/). A top 8 finish would ensure City avoid an extra set of fixtures in February. So based on that Wednesday evening’s match against Juventus is now looming as a crucial game in City’s Champions League campaign. It’s almost a must-win game if Pep Guardiola’s side wants to finish in the top 8 spots of the table.
But Juventus will be no pushover at the Allianz Stadium. They are also in a similar position to Manchester City. They sit 19th in the league phase table. Juve will also be desperate to pick up three points for the same reason as the world champions. The hosts are unbeaten in Serie A this season. But with 6 wins and 9 draws after 15 games they sit 7 points behind Serie A leaders Atalanta. But they will be no pushover at home. In front of their passionate home support, they will be up for the visit of Pep Guardiola’s side.
It’s against this backdrop that Manchester City must find a way to pick up three points in Turin. They simply must do. They are precariously placed in the Champions League league phase table and will enter the game with a [depleted squad](https://esteemedkompany.com/2024/12/09/getting-players-back-from-injury-is-manchester-citys-only-hope-for-now/). But perhaps that is the challenge Pep Guardiola’s side needs to bring out their best. A win could be the perfect tonic for their current ailments. But it won’t be an easy task against a tough Juventus outfit.
Wednesday night’s match against Juventus is looming as a pivotal one for Pep Guardiola’s side. With three fixtures remaining their Champions League league phase campaign it’s almost a must-win match. The world champions will face PSG and Club Brugge in their final two fixtures of the league phase. If they can somehow find a way to win tomorrow it may kickstart their campaign. It has stuttered in recent games so Wednesday night’s fixture is now a pivotal one for Manchester City.