Manchester City’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League were dealt a huge blow on Wednesday night as they were beaten 2-0 by Juventus.
That seemed incredible after three games when they sat third in the table - but no wins in the last three means a top eight finish seems almost impossible. And the defeat in Turin contained all the hallmarks of City’s alarming run of form: defensive frailties, a lack of penetration and sloppiness.
The defeat means City have lost the last six away games in all competitions and have one just once in the last 10.
Much of the pre-game build-up had centred on how this felt like a must-win for both teams. Yet that message didn’t seem to get through to the players in what was an abject and nervous opening 45 minutes that was short on chance.
It took 20 minutes for shooting opportunities to arise - with Kenan Yildiz firing wide from distance, while City didn’t create any opening of note until a blocked Erling Haaland effort nine minutes before the break.
And yet the visitors should have gone in with the lead at half-time after Kevin De Bruyne picked out Haaland with a sublime pass and, bearing down on goal, the prolific Norwegian opted to trip and dink Juve keeper Michele Di Gregorio. But the 27-year-old read it, threw up a hand and denied Haaland.
It was one of the rare moments in the first half that either side had got their centre-forward involved. And the first time Juve managed to find Dusan Vlahovic, it paid dividends.
Reacting to a saved bicycle kick from Federico Gatti, Juventus kept the ball alive in the area. Manuel Locatelli’s ball to the back post was met by Vlahovic to wriggled free of Josko Gvardiol and headed meekly at goal. Yet, somehow, the shot squeezed through Ederson’s arms and ended up in the back of the net.
The noise suddenly jumped up a notch, but it was City who reacted best and played with a better tempo and sense of control. What they lacked was cutting edge. Too often shots were blocked, while De Bruyne twice fired off target from the edge of the box. The best chance fell to Ilkay Gundogan, but his excellent curling effort was palmed wide by Michele Di Gregorio.
Despite City’s dominance, it was Juve who grabbed the next goal. Again, the gap in City’s defence was remarkable - the Italian side cut through the midfield with ease. Timothy Weah picked Weston McKennie out at the back post and he fired beyond Ederson. The former Leeds United man could not believe the time and space he was afforded to pick his spot and deliver a potentially fatal blow to City’s qualification hopes.
Now five points off the top eight, it seems almost impossible for Pep Guardiola’s side, while they may even be looking nervously over their shoulders towards the elimination places. City now sit just a point above the cut-off for the play-offs.
Here’s how we rated the players on another dismal night for City...
Another error on his return to the team. Ederson should have kept out Vlahovic's tame header. The keeper also fumbled a Yildiz cross soon after.
1. Ederson- 4
Another error on his return to the team. Ederson should have kept out Vlahovic's tame header. The keeper also fumbled a Yildiz cross soon after.
Better from the City skipper, although there were still a few sloppy moments, such a pass that went straight out of play. The full-back failed to get back in for McKennie's late goal.
2. Kyle Walker- 5
Better from the City skipper, although there were still a few sloppy moments, such a pass that went straight out of play. The full-back failed to get back in for McKennie's late goal.
Made a good block in the first half to stop a Vlahovic effort, although the assistant referee's flag was subsequently raised. It was a solid enough night from Dias.
3. Ruben Dias- 6
Made a good block in the first half to stop a Vlahovic effort, although the assistant referee's flag was subsequently raised. It was a solid enough night from Dias.
Two mistakes from Gvardiol for Vlahovic's goal undid what had been a decent first half for the out-of-from defender.
4. Josko Gvardiol- 4
Two mistakes from Gvardiol for Vlahovic's goal undid what had been a decent first half for the out-of-from defender. | Getty Images