TURIN: Manchester City slipped back into crisis mode after goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie delivered a 2-0 win for Juventus in Turin in the Champions League.
Manager Pep Guardiola’s men risk the indignity of failing to secure a top-eight spot in the group stage of Europe’s elite competition.
City, who lifted the 2023 Champions League trophy, have won only once in 10 games in all competitions.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said: “Confidence is a big part of it. Obviously it’s a mental issue as well. Sometimes, in one action, we miss the ball or lose a duel and you can see that we drop immediately. At the crucial moment we are doing the wrong things.”
**Key saves**
Juve goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio foiled Erling Haaland and Gundogan in the first half, allowing Vlahovic to put Juventus ahead in the 53rd minute. Kenan Yildiz swung in a cross and City keeper Ederson fumbled the Serb’s close-range header over the line, according to the goalline technology.
City improved in the attempt to equalise but Juve capitalised to double their lead against the run of play when McKennie volleyed home Timothy Weah’s cross in the 75th minute.
With two games remaining in the group phase, Juventus are 14th in the table while City dropped to 22nd, three places short of automatic elimination.
**Arsenal win**
Arsenal took a decisive step towards the knockout stage as two goals from Bukayo Saka led them to a 3-0 victory over Monaco.
Saka broke the deadlock in the 34th minute from a Gabriel Jesus pass and just when it looked as though a succession of missed chances by his teammates could prove costly he was gifted his second in the 78th minute.
Substitute Kai Havertz rubber-stamped Arsenal’s fourth win from six games in this year’s competition in the 88th minute.
Arsenal have 13 points while Monaco, who began the evening level with the London club, are now 16th with 10 points.
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