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| Manuel Pellegrini's side blew the chance to win the group |
PAUL POGBA showed Manchester City what they are missing as they failed to get their weekend humiliation to Liverpool out of their system here.
France midfielder Pogba – a summer target for Manuel Pellegrini – showed glimpses of real quality as City produced an improved performance but still reminded everyone they always like to do things the hard way in the Champions League.
Having already qualified for the knockout stages, Pellegrini’s team wanted victory not only to show Saturday’s shambles was a one-off but also to guarantee top spot in Group D with a game to spare in the hope of an easier last-16 draw.
But Mario Mandzukic’s controversial goal means they must now beat Borussia Monchengladbach at home in their last game and hope that leaders Juventus, still unbeaten in the group, lose in Seville on the same night.
| Joe Hart calls for some help |
A draw for the Italians in Spain would not be enough for City because Juve would go through on the head-to-head record having completed the double over them.
Wily former Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid striker Mandzukic gave Nicolas Otamendi a sly nudge to leave the defender sprawled on the ground as he tapped home Alex Sandro’s cross. The Croat also scored in Juve’s 2-1 win at the Etihad in September.
In an end-to end game, superb saves from Joe Hart from Mandzukic and his replacement Alvaro Morata denied last season’s finalists more goals while at the other end Gianluigi Buffon produced similar heroics.
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| Mario Mandzukic was too strong for Nicolas Otamendi |
After the weekend horror show, Pellegrini made three changes with Otamendi returning at centre-back for Eliaquim Mangala, Gael Clichy made his first appearance of the season at left-back in place of Aleksandar Kolarov and Fernandinho came in for Raheem Sterling to beef up midfield.
Fernando sat in front of the back four allowing Yaya Toure and Fernandinho to push forward, flanked by Kevin De Bruyne and Jesus Navas.
But Juventus took an 18th-minute lead with a controversial goal from Mandzukic.
He gave an off-balance Otamendi a push as they tussled for Sandro’s superb cross from the left and the City defender was left on the floor as the Croatia striker tapped home from eight yards. Otamendi’s heated protests to German referee Felix Brych fell on deaf ears.
City were facing an uphill struggle, especially as Pogba was showing just why he is one of the most coveted player in Europe. The France midfielder produced a clever backheel flick to put Paulo Dybala in but the Argentinian was offside.
And he started the move that led to the goal, ghosting past De Bruyne in midfield before sending Sandro away down the left.
Pogba had a shot hacked off the line and City had keeper Hart to thank for denying Mandzukic a second goal. The England number one dived down low to his left to tip the striker’s volley round the post.
City were holding their own in an open game, however, and there were chances at both ends just before the break.
Hart saved at Stephan Lichtsteiner’s feet at one end before Claudio Marchisio’s back-pass gave Sergio Aguero a a chance but Buffon was out quickly to avert the danger. Buffon denied City an equaliser early in the second half when he tipped Fernando’s header on to the post, then grasped the loose ball before midfielder Toure could touch it over the line.
With City pressing desperately for an equaliser, they left themselves open to the counter- attack and Hart made another vital save from Morata but injured himself in the process and was replaced by Willy Caballero.
Sterling, on for Aguero, looked certain to equalise from De Bruyne’s cross but Lichtsteiner somehow diverted the ball wide to leave a frustrated City side facing a second-place group finish for the third year running.
Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Machisio, Pogba, Sandro (Evra 78); Mandzukic (Morata 55), Dybala (Cuadrado 82).
Goal: Mandzukic 18.
Man City (4-1-4-1): Hart (Caballero 81); Sagna, Demichelis, Otamendi, Clichy; Fernando; Navas, Toure, Fernandinho (Delph 60), De Buryne; Aguero (Sterling 69).
Booked: Fernandinho, Sagna, Navas.
NEXT UP: Southampton (h), Sat PL.
Referee: F?Brych (Germany).
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