Manchester City will be desperate to return to winning ways against Juventus on Wednesday, considering they sit in 17th place in the league phase of the Champions League currently.
Pep Guardiola’s men seemed like one of the strongest contenders to finish in the top eight at the end of the league phase and directly qualify for the Round of 16 at the start of the competition.
But Manchester City’s draws against Inter Milan and Feyenoord as well as their 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP mean they merely have two wins in five outings so far.
As a result, City will have to head to Turin and ensure they secure the all-important three points.
Erling Haaland’s focus is on Juventus, judging by his post-match message to Manchester City fans after his side’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.
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Thiago Motta’s side are struggling this season as well, sitting in 19th place in the league phase of the Champions League and in sixth place in Serie A.
As a result, the contest seems quite evenly-matched based on both teams’ respective campaigns up until this point.
Phil Foden and Erling Haaland of Manchester City talk during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 training and press conference at Ma...
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Phil Foden spotted in training ahead of Man City vs Juventus
Pep Guardiola will be hoping that some of his big names are available to face Juventus.
One of them is Phil Foden, who has been ruled out of City’s last two games due to bronchitis against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace — having a difficult season so far.
However, journalist Simon Bajkowski has revealed that Foden was spotted in training ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming clash against Juventus.
In the Champions League, the 24-year-old has arguably been his boyhood club’s best player, with three goals and two assists to his name.
The £225,000-a-week midfielder will be itching to step up against the Italian giants, if he is deemed fit to start or even come off the bench.
Considering the six-time Premier League winner was training and was initially unavailable only due to bronchitis, he seems likely to play a part in Europe’s elite competition.
Rio Ferdinand claimed Foden is inferior to Bukayo Saka as well as Cole Palmer due to being in poor form in comparison to the English pair.
Ferdinand described Foden “unreal” in the past but he seems to find it tough to look past the fact that the decorated goalscorer has been miles off his best this campaign.
Foden was slammed by Tony Cascarino who questioned why he has not looked like the world-class player he was last season as well.
It seems like all eyes will be on the Stockport-born technician to prove his mettle against one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Foden must tap into Wayne Rooney-like mentality against Juventus
Joleon Lescott compared Foden to Wayne Rooney in terms of having an undying love for the game and being a natural-born winner.
Lescott claimed: “We know Wayne Rooney and I always speak so highly of him and Phil Foden is similar to him in that he is obsessed with football, completely.”
“Rooney was the first player I met that wanted to win, had to win more than me, Phil has taken that to a whole new echelon.”
Joleon Lescott added: “The desire to constantly have the ball at his feet, around hotels, the training ground etcetera. I worked with him at England U21s and we had to ban him from doing extra sessions after training because you couldn’t get him off the pitch. He always wants to work on his technique, put himself into game scenarios and develop.”
“He probably loves the game as much as I love my kids! He is just obsessed.”
Foden will have to tap into such a mindset against Juventus and in Manchester City’s following games to resurrect both his and his side’s faltering season.
Based on the versatile attacker’s track record, he is well-capable of doing so.
But Foden will be aware more than most than the best way for him to respond to his and Manchester City’s doubters will be on the pitch, starting at the Allianz Stadium.
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