Juventus play host to Manchester City for the sixth round of Champions League fixtures with both teams looking to propel themselves up the table.
Pep Guardiola’s side come into the week 17th in the table after a heavy 4-1 defeat to Sporting and a 3-3 draw with Fenerbache which saw them throw away a three-goal inside the final 15 minutes. With City also struggling domestically Guardiola will be keen to avoid a two-legged play-off and collecting three points this evening could be crucial to their chances.
For their part Juventus are 19th and level with City on eight points. They were held to a goalless draw at Villa Park last time out which was part of a run of five draws in six matches for the Serie A side. Manager Thiago Motta wants to turn around their form and a statement victory over the Premier League champions in Turin could be the catalyst to doing just that.
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Juventus 0-0 Man City
21 mins: Koopmeiners looks for space over on the left in behind Kyle Walker. He collects a through ball and sends a cross into the box only to get flagged offside.
City’s high line is paying off in this half, they just need to put something together in the opposite side of the pitch.
Juventus 0-0 Man City
18 mins: Juventus have struggled to score goals and one of the reasons is that Duson Vlahovic is isolated up top. His two wide players, Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz are too deep to supply him with opportunities close to goal.
A cross from the right wing is well defended by Man City but the ball comes out to Yildiz. He shoots from range and forces the effort just wide of the target!
Close one.
‘Interesting to see Grealish play deeper’
“Not that much to report from a footballing perspective but interesting to see Jack Grealish often in a deeper role than normal and when he pushes up, Rico Lewis inverts from left-back to give Ilkay Gundogan some company at the base of the midfield.
“Juventus had not pressed City much, which may have lulled them into a false sense of security, because they suddenly advanced a minute ago and threatened to dispossess the Premier League champions within 25 yards of their own goal.”
Juventus 0-0 Man City
15 mins: City have had most of possession but they’ve not done a lot with it. They’re still trying to find their feet in the game and discover the fluidity that tends to define Pep Guardiola’s side.
Doku goes on a run down the inside left channel and is brought down for another free kick. Kevin De Bruyne lifts this one into the box but it gets headed clear.
Juventus 0-0 Man City
12 mins: Rico Lewis is doing some nice work tucking inside and moving the ball either side. He receives a pass from the right and quickly turns to feed Jack Grealish on the edge of the box.
Grealish’s first touch is heavy and the slight chance to shoot goes begging. Grealish chases it back down and ends up winning a free kick deep in Juventus’ half.
Juventus 0-0 Man City
9 mins: Juventus are starting to get themselves in the game. They work the ball nicely up the pitch and win a corner. Tuen Koopmeiners delivers the set piece but overhits it to the far side of the penalty area where Rico Lewis has a free opportunity to head it clear.
Juventus 0-0 Man City
6 mins: Dusan Vlahovic makes a nice run in behind the City defence and sprints onto a threaded pass from Francisco Conceicao. The striker carries the ball into the box and gets off a shot.
The effort goes wide and the offside flag is raised anyway.
Juventus 0-0 Man City
3 mins: City control possession and work it through the middle of the pitch with Rico Lewis. He finds Bernardo Silva who slips a pass down the right for Kevin De Bruyne.
The playmaker lifts a high cross into the box hoping to find Erling Haaland but Michele Di Gregorio is there quickly to pluck the ball out of the air.
‘Both sides face an uphill task’
“It’s 22nd against 20th tonight, a bottom-half battle. Although Juventus against Manchester City feels bigger and more glamorous than that.
“You can see the Alps from just outside the Allianz Stadium (in daylight, anyway) and both of these sides face an uphill task to salvage a top-eight finish.
“City bring back Ederson in their attempt to do so, picked for the first time since his error gifted Feyenoord a draw.”