Juventus showed realism to overcome Manchester City (2-0) this Thursday as part of the 6th day of the Champions League group stage.
This success allows the Turinese to almost seal their qualification for the play-offs (11/18), while the Cityzens remain in an ejection seat (8/18).
On the Belgian side, Jérémy Doku tried many things on the left flank in the first half, then on the right flank after the break, without succeeding in being decisive.
Kevin De Bruyne delivered him a real caviar to Erling Haaland at the end of the first period (39′), but the Norwegian striker was deprived of the opening goal by a very good reflex from the Turin goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. The Red Devil often tried to find the fault in Juventus’ defense, without success.
The first goal of this match, played at a fairly slow pace until then, fell in the 53rd: after a powerful recovery from Federico Gatti rejected by EdersonCity’s defense failed to ward off the danger and the ball returned to the feet of Kenan Yildizwhose center found the head of Dusan Vlahovic. Ederson pushed this shot back from close range into his own net (53′ 1-0).
Much more incisive subsequently, the men of Pep Guardiola tried to come back, but Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku and others have broken their teeth on the Turin Iron Curtain.
And on a well-conducted counterattack, Timothy Weah found Weston McKenniewhose overpowering recovery left no chance for Ederson (75′ 2-0).
Samuel Earl he went up to the 84th and was able to participate in the party, without standing out.
This victory of the Old Lady perhaps does the business of FC Bruges, who will have to face these two tenors of European football during their last two meetings of the group stage, next January. Almost qualified, Juventus will not have the knife between their teeth when they travel to Belgium on January 21.
With a record of 8/18, Manchester City remains in the Top 24, synonymous with participation in the play-offs, but the English Champions cannot miss out in January or risk finding themselves under the threat of early elimination…
