Juventus vs Manchester City Player Ratings: Juventus register a famous home victory as Vlahovic and McKennie score!

Juventus produced an excellent display at home to beat Manchester City 2-0. Vlahovic gave them the lead in the second half with a fine header before McKennie volleyed home successfully. Juventus’ mean defence then took care of the game. This game was a near must-win for both sides stuck on similar stats in the table. The Italian side showed more hunger to snap their run of draws with a fine performance. Meanwhile, Manchester City have only one win in ten games in all competitions and Guardiola is fast running out of answers.

Despite City dominating the early exchanges, it was quite evident that both sides were desperate for form. There was no fluency in the game early on as many misplaced passes and poor challenges were made. However, as the game progressed things got better. Juventus started playing some neat one-touch passes but couldn’t break City’s defence down. Kevin de Bruyne on the other hand slipped Haaland in but the Norwegian striker’s goalbound lob was wonderfully saved by Di Gregorio. Fittingly that was the most eventful action in the entire first half.

The second half started with a bang as Conceicao won a corner of Doku. Gatti then won a challenge and joined the attack and even had an acrobatic effort blocked. The move was kept alive by Yildiz who crossed it into the middle. Vlahovic’s header on target was spilled by Ederson and crossed the line as he desperately tried to clear it. The referee’s watch went off and the home crowd erupted as Juventus took the lead. This gave the game a great purpose as City attacked with intensity.

The substitutions from Motta worked out excellently as the Americans combined to double Juventus’ advantage. McKennie spread the ball to Weah before arriving in the box to get on the end of his cross and volley it home. It put some daylight between the teams as Juventus closed out the game.

Juventus Player Ratings vs Manchester City

Goalkeeper

Michele Di Gregorio: 7/10- An excellent save with a raised hand to deny a certain goal from Haaland. He was at full stretch again to save Gundogan’s shot from outside the box.

Defenders

Nicolo Savona: 6.5/10- He was troubled by Doku’s pace and guile on the wing and ended up fouling him a lot. Eager to join the attack too but had nothing to show for it.

Pierre Kalulu: 7/10- Locked in a tussle with Haaland, he stood his ground well. Defended the set pieces with intent.

Federico Gatti: 7.5/10- Always alert and switched on in the box as he cut out crosses into the middle. His great run into City’s box and a blocked shot led to the opener for Juventus.

Danilo: 6.5/10- The ex-City player was a calm head in tight corners often as Juventus tried to play out from the back through him.

Midfielders

Manuel Locatelli: 7/10- Showed great anticipation to nick some balls away in the middle of the park and drive forward when the chance arose.

Khephren Thuram: 6.5/10- His work ethic stood out as he dropped into his own box and helped the defence deal with many balls into the middle. He showed silky footwork in tight areas too.

Chico Conceicao: 6.5/10- He was getting the better of Rico Lewis and was involved in neat link-up play with Locatelli. Was replaced by Weah after the hour mark.

Teun Koopmeiners: 6/10- The furthest midfielder forward for the hosts. Did very little to help the striker as he gave the ball away sloppily.

Kenan Yildiz: 7.5/10- The constant out ball for Juventus. Created chances and almost scored with an excellent curler of his right foot. Created the goal for Vlahovic with an excellent cross.

Attackers

Dusan Vlahovic: 8/10- Tried running the channels as he found life difficult centrally. Was well marked out by City’s defence in the first half. Showed great instincts to put Juventus in front with a fine header. He created more trouble throughout the second half.

Substitutes

Weston McKennie: 7.5/10 – A good pass to start the move and an even better finish to cement his side’s hold of the game.

Timothy Weah: 6.5/10- Showed good composure to pick McKennie with a lobbed cross after his initial effort was blocked.

Douglaz Luiz: 6/10

Samuel Mbangula: 6/10

Manager

Thiago Motta: 8/10- Motta’s game plan was simple and effective as they soaked the pressure excellently. When it came to landing punches, they found a way through Vlahovic. The under-fire manager’s substitutions were inspired too as they combined to score and see out the game.

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Manchester City Player Ratings vs Juventus

Goalkeeper

Ederson: 5/10- The Brazilian was barely involved in the first half and played as a midfielder at times. He was rusty on the ball after coming back into the team. Squirmed Vlahovic’s header into the net when it looked like an easy save.

Defenders

Kyle Walker: 6/10- Yildiz was giving him a tough time and threatened to outpace him a couple of times as well. Was completely out of the frame for Juventus’ second goal.

Ruben Dias: 6.5/10- Strong and solid as ever in the box and won key duels against Vlahovic. Couldn’t get near the ball for both the goals they conceded.

Josko Gvardiol: 4.5/10- He’s playing as a subdued central defender recently and helped Dias with the box defending. Was no match for Vlahovic as he completely missed the header. Left McKennie in acres of space as he volleyed home.

Midfielders

Ilkay Gundogan: 6/10- Given the license to roam forward and attack the box, Gundogan isn’t simply as effective as before.

Rico Lewis: 6.5/10- The youngster’s defensive awareness is being exposed but as always he’s solid with the ball at his feet.

Bernardo Silva: 6/10- Deployed on the right, Silva had no success in chance creation as Juventus packed the box with numbers.

Kevin de Bruyne: 7/10- Given the license to roam the pitch, he was sending crosses and delightful through passes into the box. Should’ve notched up an assist if not for Haaland’s miss.

Jack Grealish: 6.5/10- Asked by the manager to play in the middle of the pitch, he grew into the game with some smart moves.

Jeremy Doku: 7/10- Caused a lot of trouble on Juventus’ right-hand side. Won plenty of fouls and was taking dangerous positions but missed the final ball.

Attackers

Erling Haaland: 6/10- The Norwegian’s linkup play fared badly in the first half. The miss from de Bruyne’s through ball fared even badly as City fell behind in the second half.

Substitutes

Savinho: 6/10

Matheus Nunes: N/A

Manager

Pep Guardiola: 4/10- It looks like the legendary Spaniard is finally out of solutions. His side struggled to break down a solid defensive block from Juventus. In defence, it was the same old story as they were exposed on the break. Pep wouldn’t turn to his bench at all to change the games. 1 win in 10 games is a serious concern for him to address.

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