Juventus-Manchester City 2-0, a Bianconeri feat: Vlahovic and McKennie decisive

Motta's team knocks down Guardiola's Citizens: goals from the Serbian and the American in the second half

di FRANCESCO BOCCHINI
11 December 2024
Dusan Vlahovic celebrates

Dusan Vlahovic celebrates

Turin, 11 December 2024 – Enterprise of the Juventus on the sixth day of the Champions League. The Old Lady gets the third success in the European field this season by knocking out the Manchester CityAt the Allianz Stadium, the Bianconeri won 2-0 thanks to goals in the second half Vlahovic e McKennie. With this statement the troop of Thiago Motta rises to 11 points in the standings, relaunching its ambitions in terms of direct qualification for the round of XNUMX. The Citizens are in more and more trouble, and are also at risk of accessing the play-offs. 

The choices of the coaches

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, Danilo; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic. Coach Thiago Motta.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis; Gundogan, De Bruyne; Bernardo Silva, Doku, Grealish; Haaland. All. Guardiola.

First half

At the start of the race it is the Manchester City to control the ball possession, but without stinging. The match is extremely balanced, with Juventus aiming first and foremost at counterattacks. The Bianconeri had a scare in a tackle from which he emerged battered conception, which however manages to continue. The first ring of the race is of Piedmontese brand: Yildiz tries in the 19th minute from outside, with the Turk's shot going just wide. The English also light up with a couple of dangerous situations in the Old Lady's area, whose rearguard is saved, first with Gatti and then with Locatelli. The most active in the local ranks is without a doubt Yildiz, who seems to be one of the few capable of turning on the light. Locatelli is decisive again in his own area to stop Haaland. Haaland who in the 39th minute had the best chance of the first half at his feet: De Bruyne invented it for the Norwegian, whose chip was fundamental in coming out By Gregory. This is the last emotion before the interval. 

Second half

The script of the match does not change at the start of the second half. But in the 53rd minute here is the episode that changes everything: Gatti leads the Bianconeri's counterattack, the defender is also the protagonist of an acrobatic move that is blocked by Ederson, but as the action continues Yildiz crosses in for Vlahovic, who heads the opposing goalkeeper. The Citizens' reaction is not long in coming, but Juventus holds, also thanks to the imprecision of their opponents. In the 65th minute, De Bruyne tries a long-range shot, but fails to hit the target. Gundogan does hit it three minutes later, however, Di Gregorio is super in saying "no" to the German international. First changes for Thiago Motta, who brings on McKennie and Weah for Thuram and Conceicao. It is precisely the changes that sign the doubling of Madama in the 75th minute: after Danilo's recovery, Weah is launched in transition and the American serves the assist to his compatriot McKennie, who acrobatically pierces Ederson. Guardiola plays the Savinho card (instead of Doku), while on the other side Mbangula and Douglas Luiz also go in. City cannot break through the wall erected by the locals and so it is Juventus who celebrate the 2-0 victory. 

The little table

Juventus-Manchester City 2-0

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, Danilo; Locatelli, Thuram (68′ McKennie); Conceicao (68′ Weah), Koopmeiners, Yildiz (83′ Mbangula); Vlahovic (83′ Douglas Luiz). Coach Thiago Motta. Subs: Perin, Pinsoglio, Adzic, Fagioli, Rouhi.

Manchester City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis; Gundogan, De Bruyne; Bernardo, Doku (77′ Savinho), Grealish (86′ Matheus Nunes); Haaland. All. Guardiola. Dependent Ortega, Hudson, Kovacic, Foden, Wright, Simpson-Pusey, O'Reilley, McAtee, Wilson-Esbrand.

Markers: 53′ Vlahovic, 75′ McKennie.

Footnotes: Grealish cautioned.

Referee: Turpin (FRA). 

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