Socrates

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS 1 - 2 Giorgio Chiellini (57'-own goal) Mario Mandžukić (70') Álvaro Morata (81') Matchday 1 Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Etihad Stadium, Manchester Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Attendance: 50363 Allegri: 'Juve worked hard' http://www.football-italia.net/73022/allegri-juve-worked-hard? Sep 15, 2015 Max Allegri praised Juventus for their work ethic and explained his tactics after a 2-1 win away to Manchester City. The Bianconeri had their worst ever start to a Serie A season with fans calling for his head, but turned it all around with a 2-1 Champions League triumph at the Etihad. “The lads put in a great performance and it wasn’t easy. We should’ve done better in attack during the first half and missed chances, while we did have a goal disallowed,” Allegri told Mediaset Premium. “We allowed City very little and the goal came from an incident where we shouldn’t have given the ball away. “In the second half we did better going forward and without the anxiety to get that result. Today when 1-0 down, we risked conceding a second, and Gigi Buffon was extraordinary. “We did believe even after our Serie A start, because we’ve had about 40 shots on goal so far and never won. It takes patience. This team has only truly been training together for a week. “In Serie A there are fewer spaces and you have to be more concentrated, whereas in Europe it’s a different game. The Champions League motivates everyone. “A victory represents a huge boost of confidence and helps you work better. A defeat would’ve been seen badly, but we wanted to put in a good performance and turn the tide. It’s a psychological issue too and these lads showed they were up to the task.” Allegri kept everyone guessing with his line-up, testing a 3-5-2 before eventually plumping for Juan Guillermo Cuadrado in a 4-3-3. “I had decided on Cuadrado yesterday, as he could cause problems for City between the lines. Morata and Cuadrado worked hard and sacrificed themselves for the team.” Yet Allegri was spotted screaming angrily at Cuadrado to get on with it in stoppages. “We were a minute from the end, Cuadrado had the ball and should’ve gone towards the corner flag. These are situations you must learn to control better. “Man City have great individual talents, but my lads slowed down their moves and the only times they threatened was on the counter-attack. We never allowed City to create a decent attacking move.”

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS 1 - 2 Giorgio Chiellini (57'-own goal) Mario Mandžukić (70') Álvaro Morata (81') Matchday 1 Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Etihad Stadium, Manchester Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Attendance: 50363 Morata: 'Start of the new Juve' http://www.football-italia.net/73021/morata-start-new-juve? Sep 15, 2015 Alvaro Morata feels the Champions League win at Manchester City “is a starting point” for the new Juventus. The Bianconeri had got off to their worst ever Serie A start with one point from three games, but fought back from a controversial Giorgio Chiellini own goal to conquer the Etihad. “It’s a very important victory for us,” Morata told Mediaset Premium after the 2-1 success. “We didn’t start the season in the best way, as we changed a great deal and need to get used to playing together. “Today is a starting point, because when we all play together the way we know how, we are among the strongest teams in Europe. “I worked hard to help out the defence throughout the game and was fortunate enough to score a goal too. I think this is a great starting point for Juve.”

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS 1 - 2 Giorgio Chiellini (57'-own goal) Mario Mandžukić (70') Álvaro Morata (81') Matchday 1 Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Etihad Stadium, Manchester Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Attendance: 50363 Juventus stun Man City in their UCL group opener as Paul Pogba excels http://www.espnfc.co.uk/blog/the-match/60/post/2613262/juventus-stun-man-city-in-their-champions-league-opener? Sep 15, 2015 Three thoughts on a stunning night at the Etihad as Juventus fought back from 1-0 down to defeat previously perfect Manchester City 2-1. 1. Juve shelve their Serie A struggles with stunning win Not for the first time, reports of Juventus' demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated. They may have made their worst start to a Serie A season since 1912 and procured a solitary point in three outings in Italy, but they took all three to start their Champions League campaign. Manchester City may have lost to a team who knocked Real Madrid out last season, but this was a result to suggest they remain serial underachievers in continental competition. Massimiliano Allegri's side had pedigree and character alike. Their two goals came from Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata, scorers in the 2013 and 2015 finals. They produced a memorable comeback after going behind in contentious fashion. How City must wish they could call upon such a potent striker in peak fitness. Instead, Sergio Aguero was confined to a late cameo and had not been expected to feature at all because of a knee injury. His understudy, Wilfried Bony, had two chances but twice fluffed his lines. City had opportunities to win it but encountered a goalkeeper in outstanding form. Gianluigi Buffon was brilliant in denying Raheem Sterling (twice), David Silva and Yaya Toure. Joe Hart made a fine save of his own from Stefano Sturaro but was left helpless when Mandzukic steered in Paul Pogba's cross and Morata scored a wonderful, whipped winner after a quick turn. Juve's performance was a fine response to feelings of injustice. City have long contended that they have been unlucky in Europe, but on this occasion fortune favoured them. Their opener could (and perhaps should) have been disallowed. Giorgio Chiellini was doubly aggrieved by the goal: first he inadvertently headed Silva's corner beyond Buffon and more pertinently because Vincent Kompany, who had been leaning on him, was not penalised. Referee Damir Skomina ignored Chiellini's heartfelt entreaties to disallow the goal. As City had not conceded all season, that seemed to point to a home win. But they have been rarities for them in the Champions League and, for the third time in four home games in this competition, they conceded twice and lost. 2. Sterling's misses come at a cost The last time European football was staged at the Etihad Stadium, Manuel Pellegrini made the misguided decision to play 4-4-2. As Barcelona were the visitors that night, it was astonishingly naive, a tactical blunder that seemed to put his position under threat. This was less a case of a more sensible system than of an inability to convert chances. Ultimately, the 4-2-3-1 he used on Tuesday is the shape of things to come. After investing £103 million in wingers this summer, it has to be. Kevin De Bruyne cost £54m and is being eased into the team, replacing Sterling after 70 minutes. The cheaper of the pair, the £49m man had two chances to mark his European debut for City in style but two low shots were saved by Buffon, the veteran winning their personal duel. City can be encouraged by the kind of incisive runs Sterling is making in the inside-left channel but might be concerned that he is too profligate. Fernandinho and Silva both found him in space. While he was quieter between those two efforts, Sterling swapped flanks with Samir Nasri to for a few minutes to attempt to attack Patrice Evra. Sterling offers City the sort of width they only previously gained from the one-dimensional Jesus Navas, and the five-man midfield gives them greater options. They enjoyed the majority of possession and rather than being outnumbered in the centre of the pitch, they sometimes possessed the luxury of an extra man. Yet it might be a concern that the deepest of the quintet was sometimes the greatest attacking threat: Fernandinho was twice inches away from scoring. He illustrates the difference between this season and last. The Brazilian was impaired by a World Cup hangover in 2014-15 but he now seems rejuvenated, providing a blend of energy and quality again. Yet while he was excellent, the scoreline did not reflect that. 3. Pogba shows Man City why they wanted him Welcome back to Manchester, Paul. Pogba's was a return to interest both halves of a divided city. The Frenchman may represent Sir Alex Ferguson's greatest mistake. Never granted a first-team start at Old Trafford, he left for Juventus, with a tribunal awarding United a mere £800,000. He was wanted at City this summer but when he eventually leaves Turin, he could cost in excess of £70 million. While one of Pellegrini's three main summer transfer targets (Sterling) started for City and another (De Bruyne) came off the bench, the third, Pogba, lined up in the Juventus midfield instead. The sense that City might rue the one who got away was illustrated all night, but there was a brief reprieve when Pogba dived to head in Juan Cuadrado's inviting cross. The midfielder had timed his run perfectly but Morata had not, and while the Spaniard failed to make contact, he was rightly ruled offside. Nevertheless, the incident showed his capacity to use his power to get into goal-scoring positions. It is a trait he shares with Toure and helps explain why Pogba was seen as the Ivorian's potential successor. Each is an all-rounder with a rare blend of attributes and the 22-year-old showed his physicality as well as his technical gifts. Pogba's skills include crossing and late in the second half, he delivered a beautiful ball for Mandzukic to level. Minutes earlier, and rather predictably, the City fans had serenaded him by suggesting he was a "s--- Yaya Toure" -- hardly the most persuasive sales pitch if they want him to sign for them next summer. Pogba was not the only United alumnus on show, either. Evra was predictably booed on his first return to Manchester although the left-back is sufficiently confident enough to cope. Others granted him an unpleasant reception. Toure sent Evra into orbit with a wildly mistimed challenge and somehow escaped without a caution. If that hurt, the joy of victory should salve any pain.

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS 1 - 2 Giorgio Chiellini (57'-own goal) Mario Mandžukić (70') Álvaro Morata (81') Matchday 1 Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Etihad Stadium, Manchester Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Attendance: 50363 Player Ratings: Manchester City 1-2 Juventus http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/player-ratings-manchester-city-1-2-juventus/ Sep 15, 2015 Juventus put their league woes behind them with a 2-1 win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League. The Premier League side took the lead after Giorgio Chiellini nodded into his own net after a physical battle with Vincent Kompany, but the Bianconeri equalised after Mario Mandzukic latched onto Paul Pogba’s great pass and the Old Lady sealed a stunning victory courtesy of a phenomenal strike from Alvaro Morata. Manchester City Joe Hart – 6 – Quality - Juventus set up to defend and the England international did not have an awful lot to trouble him until he made a brilliant stop from Sturaro during the second half, couldn’t have done much for the equaliser. Bacary Sagna – 5 – Calm - Did well enough in a defensive sense, but did not give Manchester City support going forward which would have been particularly effective in breaking the Bianconeri down. Vincent Kompany – 6 – Composed - He had time on the ball to play out from the back as Juventus sat back deep, the Belgian is a real leader in the City team and was always composed in possession. Eliaquim Mangala – 5 – Average - He misplaced a couple of passes when under no real pressure and arguably lost Mandzukic too easily for the Bianconeri’s equaliser. Aleksandar Kolarov – 6 – Tough - Kolarov did well in trying to offer his team-mates support going forward, his passing was of a very good standard, but the Bianconeri were tough to break down. Yaya Toure – 5 – Average - Usually Toure is one of the Premier League side’s big game players but he didn’t do enough tonight when in possession. Fernandinho – 6 – Energetic - The Brazilian did a lot of work in the midfield area and showed great energy in his play, coped well defensively. Samir Nasri – 5.5 – Inadequate - He did not make his presence felt on the game and struggled against the visitors midfield, he could have done more to go forward as centrally Juventus found it easy to cope with Bony who looked rather isolated. David Silva – Silky – 6.5 - The Spaniard is wonderful with the ball at his feet, but it is his intelligence that is particularly impressive. Looked one of the few players who could break Juventus down but not enough players in Sky Blue seemed to be on his wavelength. Raheem Sterling – 5.5 – Frustrating - Perhaps we did not see enough of his pace, but that was also down to Allegri’s tactics working very well. The big-money signing from Liverpool was alert in possession but will be frustrated at lack of creativity. Wilfred Bony – 5.5 – Isolated - Seemed isolated in possession and struggled against Giorgio Chiellini, when he had his chances his decision-making was poor. Substitutes Kevin De Bruyne – 4 – Anonymous - Didn’t get on the ball enough after he was introduced. Nicolas Otamendi – N/A Sergio Aguero – N/A Juventus Gianluigi Buffon – 7 – Excellent - Good early stop from Raheem Sterling and the veteran continued to show his world class credentials throughout the game with important saves. Stephan Lichsteiner – 6 – Disciplined - The Swiss has an urge to get forward in matches, but Allegri knew this was a night that called for defensive discipline and Lichsteiner was positionally excellent. Leonardo Bonucci – 7 – Rock - Put in a great defensive performance and did well cancelling some of Manchester City’s great attacking players out. Giorgio Chiellini– 6– Frustrated - Read the game excellently, solid in the tackle and won the battle against Bony, but was bullied by Kompany for City’s opener- arguably illegally- but had to be stronger. Patrice Evra – 6 – Average - He did well in terms of putting a lot of effort in, considering his age, but also gave the ball away a few times. Stefano Sturaro – 6 – Pressured - Coped very well and made a few important tackles, also tracked back and put pressure on City’s midfielders. Hernanes – 6 – Faded - The new signing from Inter couldn’t get on the ball enough to stamp his authority on the game, perhaps wasn’t suited to Juventus’ tactics tonight. Paul Pogba – 6 – Decent - Was solid in midfield and delivered an exquisite ball for Mandzukic’s leveller. Juan Cuadrado – 6.5 – Lively - On his return to England, he looked a totally different player from his poor spell at Chelsea. Confident in possession, looking to get forward and was very lively throughout. Mario Mandzukic – 7 – Experienced - The Croatian forward showed all his experience and grafted hard, excellent work to lose Mangala and stretch out to score the Old Lady’s equaliser. Alvaro Morata – 7.5 – Alert - Did not always have a lot to work with, but he continued to make good runs forward and most importantly give the Bianconeri an outlet and he sealed the win with a truly stunning goal. Substitutes Paolo Dybala – N/A Andrea Barzagli– N/A

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS 1 - 2 Giorgio Chiellini (57'-own goal) Mario Mandžukić (70') Álvaro Morata (81') Matchday 1 Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Etihad Stadium, Manchester Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Attendance: 50363 Marchisio: 'We were Juve!' http://www.football-italia.net/73018/marchisio-we-were-juve? Sep 15, 2015 Claudio Marchisio said Juventus “were a team, we were JUVE” in their victory over Manchester City. The Bianconeri fought back from a controversial goal to win 2-1 at the Etihad. “It’s true the final result is the only thing that counts, but tonight we were a team. We were JUVE!” wrote Marchisio on Instagram and Twitter. “Sacrifice, hard work and character. I suffered, really a lot… like all of you! This has to be just the beginning.” Marchisio was watching from home after a muscular injury ruled him out for over a month.

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS 1 - 2 Giorgio Chiellini (57'-own goal) Mario Mandžukić (70') Álvaro Morata (81') Matchday 1 Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Etihad Stadium, Manchester Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Attendance: 50363 Man. City 1-2 Juventus: Delight For The Bianconeri As Champions League Challenge Starts In Triumph http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/manchester-city-1-2-juventus-delight-for-the-bianconeri-as-champions-league-challenge-starts-in-triumph/? Sep 15, 2015 Juventus defeated Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night in the Champions League, as last year’s runners-up began the new campaign with victory. In a closely fought contest the Bianconeri stole the points with strikes from Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata, after Giorgio Chiellini had scored an owngoal for the Premier League side. Despite Raheem Sterling forcing Gianluigi Buffon into an excellent save after just two minutes, Juventus had a fairly comfortable first-half and even had the ball in the back of the City net. Morata, the intended target of Stephan Lichtsteiner’s cross , was clearly offside as he attempted to make contact and Paul Pogba’s eventual header was ruled out, as Juve took the game to City. Although the Bianconeri were holding firm, the Premier League side did see Wilfried Bony waste a decent opportunity after 32 minutes, firing well wide after a mistake by Patrice Evra. When Manchester City did take the lead it was under controversial circumstances, centre-back Vincent Kompany appearing to foul Chiellini as he leapt and the Italian headed past Buffon. Moments later the hosts nearly made it two, but the 37-year-old Buffon made an amazing double stop from Sterling and David Silva. The sense of injustice seemed to provide Juventus with some attacking impetus, though, and Mandzukic met a wonderful deep cross from Pogba on 70 minutes to level the score. 10 minutes later it got even better for the Old Lady, Morata controlling well before turning his marker and curling a shot around Hart and into the net. The Bianconeri will now look to tighten their grip on Group D when Sevilla visit Turin on 30 September, but obtaining a first Serie A win of the season is the immediate priority when entertaining Genoa at Marassi on Sunday.

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS 1 - 2 Giorgio Chiellini (57'-own goal) Mario Mandžukić (70') Álvaro Morata (81') Matchday 1 Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Etihad Stadium, Manchester Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Attendance: 50363 Juventus claim victory at Man City through Mandzukic and Morata http://www.espnfc.co.uk/uefa-champions-league/match/434268/manchester-city-juventus/report? Sep 15, 2015 Manchester City suffered familiar European wobbles as they surrendered a lead to lose their Champions League Group D opener 2-1 to Juventus. City looked in control at the Etihad Stadium after taking a controversial 57th-minute lead when Giorgio Chiellini turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Vincent Kompany. But Manuel Pellegrini's men paid the price for failing to convert a series of other chances as Juve hit back with a Mario Mandzukic finish and a stunner from Alvaro Morata. It was yet another example of City failing to deliver on the biggest stage, and a surprise given the form of the two sides coming into the game. Juve, last season's Champions League runners-up and Serie A champions for four successive years, had failed to win any of their opening three games while City had won five in a row without conceding. But without star striker Sergio Aguero -- who made a surprising late appearance off the bench having initially been ruled out with a knee injury -- City lacked a cutting edge. Raheem Sterling spurned an early chance after Fernandinho robbed Stefano Sturaro. The former Liverpool man opened his body and tried to place his shot inside the far post but veteran Gianluigi Buffon saved with his feet. It was some time before City threatened again as Juventus gained a grip with £70 million-rated Paul Pogba -- a reported target for City last summer -- strong in possession and on-loan Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado looking dangerous. Pogba slid the ball into the net from a Cuadrado cross but Morata was flagged offside. City had a good spell as Fernandinho won the ball from Pogba and fired over before Aleksandar Kolarov sent a free kick across goal. Wilfried Bony then twice fluffed his lines by slicing horribly wide after a smart run and then failing to turn in a low Kolarov cross. Fernandinho had another good chance when a clearance fell to him and sat up nicely but his powerful drive flew wide. The second half began slowly but changed completely after City grabbed the lead -- Kompany celebrated as if he had claimed his third goal of the season as he rose to meet a David Silva corner but the ball went in off Chiellini. Chiellini felt he had been impeded by Kompany and protested to the referee, but to no avail. The goal energised City and moments later Silva broke free and played in Sterling, but Buffon again saved well and then quickly regained his footing to produce an even better stop to deny Silva. Bony fired in another shot from a tight angle but Buffon saved once more -- and City were made to rue those misses as Juve responded. Joe Hart needed to save from Sturaro and City had a big let-off when Pogba miscued a volley. But the Italians broke through when Pogba swung in a cross for Mandzukic and the Croatian timed his run to perfection to guide the ball in via the far post. City manager Manuel Pellegrini took off the influential Kompany at this point due to a calf injury, and handed a debut to Nicolas Otamendi. Otamendi was caught out as Morata fired Juve ahead nine minutes from time, but it was all about the finish -- the forward broke clear on the left and curled an unstoppable shot round Hart and inside the far post to seal the three points.

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS 1 - 2 Giorgio Chiellini (57'-own goal) Mario Mandžukić (70') Álvaro Morata (81') Matchday 1 Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Etihad Stadium, Manchester Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Attendance: 50363 CL: Juve conquer Man City Alvaro Morata and Mario Mandzukic fought back to earn a fantastic 2-1 Champions League win away to Manchester City. http://www.football-italia.net/73017/cl-juve-conquer-man-city? Sep 15, 2015 The Bianconeri had their worst ever Serie A start to a season and dived into a very tough Champions League opener at the Etihad. Claudio Marchisio joined Sami Khedira on the treatment table, so Hernanes moved into a deeper role in a 4-3-3, Juan Guillermo Cuadrado completing the trident attack. Sergio Aguero was only fit for the bench after an ankle injury, while £55m signing Kevin de Bruyne was on the bench. Within 90 seconds Stefano Sturaro lost possession and Gigi Buffon used his legs to deny Raheem Sterling’s angled drive at the near post. Paul Pogba had the ball in the back of the net with a diving header, but Alvaro Morata was offside and interfering with play as he failed to reach Cuadrado’s cross. Hernanes curled a free kick just wide, while Fernandinho, Aleksandar Kolarov and Cuadrado were off target from distance. Wilfried Bony should’ve done better when ballooning wide from the edge of the box. A dangerous Kolarov ball was pulled back, but Giorgio Chiellini did brilliantly to stop Bony tapping in from six yards. Fernandinho’s snapshot swerved just past the far post from a poor Stephan Lichtsteiner clearance. Mario Mandzukic was flagged inches offside when he would’ve been clear on goal after the restart, but Manchester City took the lead in controversial circumstances. A corner was accidentally knocked into his own net by Chiellini, who was being held down by Kompany. The midfielder was all over Chiellini, leaning heavily on his shoulders, so the goal should’ve been disallowed. Moments later it was almost 2-0, but Buffon performed a remarkable double save, one-handed on a low Sterling angled drive and getting back up to palm the David Silva follow-up over the bar. At the other end, Joe Hart performed a decisive save on Sturaro from close range on a Morata knock-down. Juventus drew level with summer signing Mandzukic, who dived on to a Pogba curling cross to volley in with the inside of his right boot, in off the upright. The Croatian went off with cramp, making way for Paulo Dybala. It was Morata who turned the game around completely with an absolutely extraordinary goal. Out of nowhere, the Spaniard cut in past two defenders and unleashed a fierce left-foot curler that bounced in off the inside of the far post, giving Hart no chance. Late on Buffon flew to palm a Yaya Toure strike out of the far top corner, but other than that the Bianconeri comfortably saw out the victory at the Etihad. It was their first win on English soil since beating Manchester United 1-0 in 1996. Man City 1-2 Juventus Scorers: Chiellini og 57 (M), Mandzukic 70 (J), Morata 81 (J) Manchester City: Hart; Sagna, Kompany (Otamendi 74), Mangala, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; Nasri (Aguero 84), Silva, Sterling (De Bruyne 71); Bony Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba; Cuadrado, Mandzukic (Dybala 78), Morata (Barzagli 85) Ref: Skomina (SLV)

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS 1 - 2 Giorgio Chiellini (57'-own goal) Mario Mandžukić (70') Álvaro Morata (81') Matchday 1 Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M. Etihad Stadium, Manchester Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia) Attendance: 50363 Manchester City 1-2 Juventus: Morata strike condemns Pellegrini's men to disappointing defeat The former Real Madrid striker struck with nine minutes to play to earn the Italian side all three points, with Mario Mandzukic having cancelled out Giorgio Chiellini's own goal. http://www.goal.com/en/match/manchester-city-vs-juventus/2146805/report Sep 15, 2015 Alvaro Morata's brilliant late goal gave Juventus a 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League on Tuesday. Manuel Pellegrini's men have stormed to five victories from as many matches in the Premier League to establish themselves as the early domestic pace-setters but were largely unable to find the fluency with which they have illuminated the opening weeks of the season. By contrast, Juventus have one point from three Serie A outings but responded superbly to Giorgio Chiellini's controversial own goal to steal the points through strike duo Morata and Mario Mandzukic. For the fifth consecutive season, City have failed to win their opening home game of a Champions League campaign as Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Bony both wasted fine opportunities in front of goal. Juve remain short of the form that propelled them to last season's final against Barcelona but displayed a streetwise streak that City still appear to lack at this level. Sterling was back in the City starting XI following a minor hamstring complaint and the England winger forced Gianluigi Buffon to save sharply with his feet in the second minute. Juventus showed their share of early ambition and had the ball in the net after 12 minutes but Pogba’s effort was ruled out – Morata having attempted to connect with Juan Cuadrado’s cross in an offside position at the near post. Cuadrado flashed a shot across Joe Hart’s goal before City playmaker David Silva broke from shackles imposed by the Juventus midfield to feed Bony in the 32nd minute. The Ivory Coast striker brilliantly nutmegged Leonardo Bonucci but proceeded to slice an ugly attempt woefully wide as Sterling waited in space to his left. Bony was muscled out of getting a decisive touch to Aleksandar Kolarov's low cross and Fernandinho came close with a piledriver as City warmed to their task with half-time approaching. Pellegrini's team made a slugglish start to the second period but broke the deadlock in a fashion that prompted furious protests. Silva whipped an out-swinging corner to the far post, where Kompany gave himself leverage on Chiellini's shoulders and the defender helplessly diverted the ball into his own net before focusing his ire on the match officials. Bony then dummied for Silva to burst towards goal and play in Sterling, whose shot was blocked. Silva collected the loose ball, only to be stunningly denied by Buffon – the veteran Italy international then standing firm to deny Bony as City sought to press home their advantage. They were almost pegged back in the 62nd minute as Hart got down to his left to keep out Morata, while Pogba rivalled Bony for mis-hit of the evening shortly afterwards when City failed to clear a corner. But Pogba showed his class in the 70th minute as his raking pass dropped over Eliaquim Mangala for Mandzukic – starved of service until the final 20 minutes – to convert via the inside of Hart’s left-hand post. Kompany then appeared to sustain an injury and Nicolas Otamendi was subsequently handed a surprise debut with 16 minutes to play. And Morata got the better of the substitute to collect a loose ball on the edge of the box and curl a briliant 81st-minute winner beyond Hart. City attempted to respond, but Hart's opposite number Buffon once again excelled himself at the death to keep out Yaya Toure. VIEW FROM THE ETIHAD STADIUM By Sam Lee Same old City, eh? For all their imperious Premier League form - they're yet to even concede a goal, of course - they just can't seem to get going in Europe. Things looked bright when Giorgio Chiellini headed into his own net under pressure from Vincent Kompany but goals from Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata have sent City fans home wondering what exactly is wrong with their side in this competition. Gianluigi Buffon made a fine double save at 1-0 which proved to be the difference, while Nicolas Otamendi came on for the injured Kompany but afforded Morata too much space for his winner. Back to the drawing board for Manuel Pellegrini.

Bravissimo Gigi

Barzagli per Morata

ALVARO MORATA 1-2

Navas pericoloso

Ecco Dybala.

Bonny ha la meglio su Bony.

Utilissimo Cuadrado.

Esce il belga disonesto

MARIO MANDZUKIC 1-1

United sotto in Olanda con il PSV.

Pogba impalpabile.

Hart para ma Sturaro ha tirato in modo disastroso.

Come corre Touré

Gigi evita il 2-0

Assurdo, goal irregolarissimo del City

Goal del Siviglia