A crucial UEFA Champions League league fixture is up next for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side takes on Juventus at the Allianz Stadium tomorrow night. It is looming as a pivotal match in not only Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League campaign but Juve’s as well. Looking ahead to tomorrow night’s match Thiago Motta’s side could pose a tricky test for Manchester City. A look at the Juventus side shows that they are tough to beat although they have been kings of claiming a draw so far this season.
Juventus come into tomorrow night’s match following a 2-all draw with Bologna last weekend. Thiago Motta’s side showed their fighting spirit by coming down from two goals down to pick up a point. Goals from Teun Koopmeiners and Samuel Mbangula saw Juve pick up a hard-earned point. But their draw with Bologna followed a similar pattern that has plagued Juve’s season to date.
In Serie A Juventus are unbeaten in 15 games. But they have won 6 and drawn 9 games in Serie A this season. So, while they are tough to beat, they do fail to turn draws into victories. They have also only won one of their past 5 games in all competitions with 4 draws. So Manchester City should expect a stubborn side to await them at the Allianz Stadium. That is no surprise as typically all Italian teams are tough to beat on any given day.
A look at the Juventus squad shows they are packed with quality. Although they aren’t as strong as famous Juve sides from years gone by. Up front, Dusan Vlahovic looks to be their danger man. Vlahovic is a quality striker on his day and will need to be contained. Francisco Conceicao is another player who can dazzle on his day. Although they aren’t prolific scorers in all competitions. They have scored 24 goals in 15 Serie A games and 7 in 5 UEFA Champions League matches. They look particularly strong in midfield with Teun Koopmeiners, Manuel Locatelli, Khephren Thurman and Weston McKennie just a few of the quality players Thiago Motta can call upon in midfield.
Defensively, Juventus are strong which shows in their defensive record of only conceding 10 goals in 15 Serie A matches. Although in the Champions League they have conceded 5 goals in 5 game too date. The 4-2-3-1 system typically preferred by Thiago Motta does give them strength defensively but perhaps it does nullify their attacking threat somewhat.
But looking at Juventus they will pose a tough test for Manchester City tomorrow evening. They are a quality side, that are especially strong at the back. Pep Guardiola’s side will need to be at their best to come away from the game with a vital victory. That is clear to see based on a closer analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Thiago Motta’s side.