Juventus Season 2015-2016

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

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Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Fail! British Newspaper Highlights
Carlos Tevez as Key Man for Juventus

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2566897-fail-british-newspaper-highlights-carlos-tevez-as-key-man-for-juventus?

Sep 15, 2015
 
British newspaper Metro has made a rather embarrassing gaffe ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash between Manchester City and Juventus.

The commuters' favourite highlighted Carlos Tevez as the key man for the Italian giants at the Etihad Stadium despite the fact that the Argentinian forward now plies his trade for Boca Juniors.

Tevez went back to his former club in the summer, and unless he’s made a stunning loan return to the Bianconeri that's gone completely under the radar, he won't be taking the field against Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Manchester City - Juventus Betting:
Goals to be at a premium at the Etihad

The home side will be looking to start their Champions League campaign in style,
but our tipster is anticipating a tight clash when Massimiliano Allegri's men visit Manchester.

http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4563/main/2015/09/15/15375802/-?

Sep 15, 2015
 
On Tuesday evening, Manchester City will hope to make the perfect start to their Uefa Champions League campaign when they play host to Italian champions Juventus.

Manuel Pellegrini's men enter the opener having preserved their 100 per cent record in the Premier League by virtue of Kelechi Iheanacho's late winner against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.

With that in mind, it is perhaps unsurprising that bet365 offer just that the Premier League side pick up all three points from Tuesday's Group D tussle.

The hosts, though, have concerns over the fitness over key trio David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero, and Massimiliano Allegri's side will be desperate to exploit any perceived weaknesses in City's ranks.

In contrast to City, Allegri's side have endured a difficult start to the season, having garnered just one point from their opening three league matches.

Juventus, runners-up in this competition last term, are chalked up at a chunky to get the better of Pellegrini's men at the Etihad, while the same firm go that both sides are forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

It is worth noting that Pellegrini's men have kept a clean sheet in each of their opening five competitive fixtures so far this season and they can be backed at to keep a sixth successive clean sheet when they line up against the Serie A winners.

City backers may be tempted by the quote offered up by bet365 for Pellegrini's men to win to nil against the Bianconeri, while the quotes offered up for the home side to lead at both half-time and full-time is not without appeal.

However, Juventus will be determined to alleviate their early season woes with a determined display, and Allegri's men are capable of keeping things tight - especially given the potential absence of Silva, Sterling and Aguero from the home side's line-up.

Therefore, punters are advised to snap up the quote for fewer than three goals to be scored when these two sides go toe-to-toe on Tuesday night.

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Del Piero: ‘Pogba is unique’

http://www.football-italia.net/72996/del-piero-%E2%80%98pogba-unique%E2%80%99?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero describes Paul Pogba as ‘unique’ and discusses Manchester City.

The French midfielder has inherited Pinturicchio’s number 10 shirt, worn by Carlos Tevez last season, and the former captain believes the youngster is a worthy successor.

“Pogba is a great player,” Del Piero told Sky Sports.

“And he is improving. He has a rare talent and is unique. He has great mobility and technique, combined with an impressive physicality.

“Could he join Manchester City? He's with Juve and I don't think he's for sale, at least not in the immediate future.”

The Bianconeri’s all-time record goalscorer was being interviewed ahead of tonight’s clash between City and the Old Lady, and gave his analysis of some of the English side’s stars.

“Raheem Sterling? I've never seen him play live, but I know his value. He's a very modern player, and although he's very young he isn't afraid to make a mistake and as a result can make very difficult things look very easy.

“Kevin De Bruyne’s transfer fee? It's not for me to pass judgment but it was a lot of money [€75m], really a lot!

“I don't pay their bills but it does add a lot of pressure or responsibility on his shoulders.”

Tonight’s match represents something of a homecoming for Patrice Evra, who played for City’s rivals Manchester United, did the Red Devils make a mistake in letting the left-back leave?

“I wouldn't call it a 'mistake' - teams must plan for the future,” Del Piero considered.

“Evra certainly is a player who still has a lot to give, as last year with Juventus proved, and I believe he will continue to do well this year.”

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Lemina to make Juventus debut?

http://www.football-italia.net/72997/lemina-make-juventus-debut?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Mario Lemina could make his Juventus debut against Manchester City in the Champions League tonight.

Training sessions in Manchester indicate Bianconeri Coach Massimiliano Allegri looks set to opt for a 3-5-2 shape, with the French midfielder preferred to Stefano Sturaro.

In defence, Andrea Barzagli is likely to edge out the pacier Martin Caceres, despite the English side boasting considerable speed on the flanks.

Patrice Evra is likely to come back into the side in place of Alex Sandro, having been suspended for the weekend draw with Chievo.

Up-front, Mario Mandzukic will lead the line, with Paulo Dybala likely to beat Alvaro Morata to a starting shirt.


Probable Juventus line-up:
Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Lemina, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra; Dybala, Mandzukic

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Allegri keeps Man City guessing

http://www.football-italia.net/73006/allegri-keeps-man-city-guessing?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Max Allegri is keeping Manchester City guessing, as Juventus have three different systems to choose from.

The Champions League tie kicks off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), yet we still don’t have a clue how the Bianconeri will be set out.

This morning the Coach had tested out a 3-5-2 system with Mario Lemina making his debut in midfield and Patrice Evra returning to replace Alex Sandro on the left.

However, reports from the Juventus camp now suggest a 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2 is more likely.

Juan Guillermo Cuadrado is the key, as if he starts then it’ll be a 4-3-3 with Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata (or Paulo Dybala).

If not, then Roberto Pereyra takes the trequartista role behind the two strikers.

Deadline day signing Hernanes will start in midfield, while Stefano Sturaro is expected to be picked rather than Lemina in this set-up.


Juventus probables

(3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Lemina, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra; Dybala, Mandzukic

(4-3-3): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba; Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Morata (Dybala)

(4-3-1-2): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba; Pereyra; Mandzukic, Morata (Dybala)

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Line-ups: Man City-Juventus

http://www.football-italia.net/73012/line-ups-man-city-juventus?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Juventus rely on Paul Pogba, Juan Cuadrado, Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata in a Champions League opener with Manchester City.

It kicks off at 20.45 CET.

The Bianconeri almost secured the Treble last term, winning the Scudetto and Coppa Italia, while beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League Final.

Fast forward a few months and fans are calling for Coach Max Allegri’s head after the worst ever Serie A start, scraping one point from three rounds.

The new team is taking a while to gel, sorely missing Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal, while Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira are long-term injury absentees.

Hernanes arrived from Inter on deadline day for €11m and has made only one appearance so far, while ex-Palermo striker Paulo Dybala scored both of their goals so far in Serie A this season.

Nonetheless, Dybala is dropped in favour of former Real Madrid striker Morata alongside Mandzukic with Cuadrado, on loan from Chelsea, in the trident.

Juve rejected all offers for Pogba this summer from Chelsea, Barcelona and Manchester City, reportedly in the region of €100m.

City were meant to be missing their star striker for this match, as Sergio Aguero picked up a knee injury in the Premier League at the weekend, but he is surprisingly named on the bench

Fernandinho and Samir Nasri are not 100 per cent fit either, while Raheem Sterling and David Silva have recovered to start.

Kevin de Bruyne cost £55m, but is only on the bench tonight.


Manchester City: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri, Silva, Sterling, Bony

Manchester City bench: Caballero, Otamendi, Demichelis, Fernando, Navas, De Bruyne, Aguero


Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba; Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Morata

Juventus bench: Neto, Alex Sandro, Barzagli, Lemina, Pereyra, Zaza, Dybala

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Zoff: 'Old-fashioned Juve'

http://www.football-italia.net/73013/zoff-old-fashioned-juve?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Dino Zoff believes “if Juventus play in an old-fashioned style, they can bring home a positive result against Manchester City.”

The Champions League tie kicks off tonight and Juve adopt a 4-3-3 formation.

“I am confident, as if Juventus play in an old-fashioned style, relying on the defence, they can bring home a positive result against Manchester City,” Zoff told Tuttomercatoweb.

“In other years Juventus had started out in Serie A with a comfortable advantage, but this won’t the case now because the other teams have reinforced a great deal.”

The 1982 World Cup winner and Italy legend also cheers on Roma tomorrow night.

“I believe in Juve tonight and Roma can do well against Barcelona tomorrow too.”

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Pellegrini: 'Juve strongest team'

http://www.football-italia.net/73014/pellegrini-juve-strongest-team?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini called Juventus “the strongest team of the group” and explains Sergio Aguero’s recovery.

“It’s the first game of the group, it’s important to try to qualify from the group the same way we did the last two seasons,” Pellegrini told BT Sport Europe.

“It’s important now to start with a good game here at home against the strongest team of the group.”

Aguero is on the bench, a surprise considering he had by all accounts been ruled out by a knee injury at the weekend.

“Sergio is not 100 per cent fit, he had a very good recovery, unexpected from yesterday afternoon and this morning, so he will be on the bench and we’ll see what happens in the game.

“It’s important for the team to see that if we need him, he can play.”

Juventus have had their worst ever start to a Serie A season with one point from three rounds, but Pellegrini is not swayed.

“I think we must expect from Juventus what they had in the other seasons. They won the Serie A title four years in a row and had a very good game against Barcelona in the Final of the Champions League.

“They are a strong team with players who know how to play, with two strikers, so we need to work very hard today if we want to keep the points here at home.”

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Sergio Aguero makes Manchester City bench against Juventus

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-city/champions-league/team-news/team-news-sergio-aguero-makes-man-city-squad_246337.html?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has made two changes to his starting XI ahead of their Champions League Group D clash against Juventus at the Etihad.

Raheem Sterling and David Silva return to the Citizens' forward line in place of Jesus Navas and Sergio Aguero.

The Argentinian, previously ruled out of the game through injury, is however fit enough to make the bench.

Meanwhile the Bianconeri have made six changes, with ex-Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Patrice Evra joining on-loan Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado in the starting lineup.


Manchester City: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri, Silva, Sterling, Bony
Subs: Caballero, Otamendi, Demichelis, Fernando, Navas, De Bruyne, Aguero

Juventus: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra, Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba, Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Morata
Subs: Neto, Barzagli, Alex Sandro, Lemina, Pereyra, Zaza, Dybala

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

Marotta: 'Juve lost charisma'

http://www.football-italia.net/73015/marotta-juve-lost-charisma?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Juventus director Beppe Marotta “expects a positive response” against Manchester City, having “lost charisma.”

“Do I expect a response from Paul Pogba? I expect it from all of Juve,” general manager Marotta told Mediaset Premium.

“He is a component of the squad and today we face a team of great strength, perhaps the favourites to take the trophy along with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.”

Max Allegri has changed the system to a 4-3-3 with Chelsea loaner Juan Guillermo Cuadrado.

“At this moment we can make many predictions and look to different philosophies of football, but in the end we’ll see what happens on the pitch. We expect a strong response.

“This group is starting to gel and the new players are understanding what it means to play for Juve, while the old guard have to reconfirm themselves at this level.

“We have lost charisma and character by losing players like Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez. As we stand today, we need a response from the squad and not from individuals.

“We need a positive performance to reinforce the concept of self-belief that has been lacking so far this season. Today we have another all-time first line-up.

“The transfer market ended late and Serie A started later than the Premier League, which also doesn’t favour us in Europe, but there are no alibis.”

[Socrates 7976]

MANCHESTER CITY - JUVENTUS

-

 
 

Matchday 1
Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 - 08:45 P.M.
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Referee:‬ Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

HT 0-0: Juve comfortable at Man City

http://www.football-italia.net/73016/ht-juve-comfortable-man-city

Sep 15, 2015
 
Paul Pogba had a goal disallowed and Gigi Buffon made a great save, but Juventus have been fairly comfortable against Manchester City.

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.


Man City 0-0 Juventus (Half-Time)

Manchester City: Hart; Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri, Silva, Sterling, Bony

Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Sturaro, Hernanes, Pogba; Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Morata

Ref: Skomina (SLV)

[Socrates 7976]

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.

[Socrates 7976]

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)

[Socrates 7976]

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.

[Socrates 7976]

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.

[Socrates 7976]

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.

[Socrates 7976]

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

[Socrates 7976]

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.

[Socrates 7976]

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.”

[Socrates 7976]

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.”

[Socrates 7976]

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 vs. Juventus: Score
and Reaction from 2015 Champions League

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2567216-manchester-city-vs-juventus-score-and-reaction-from-2015-champions-league?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Manchester City hadn't given up a goal all season long heading into their Champions League group-stage match against Juventus. But in a bizarre and exciting second half they managed to give up two to Juventus, dropping the contest in shocking fashion, 2-1.

Following Giorgio Chiellini's controversial own goal—the defender appeared to be fouled by Vincent Kompany before unintentionally heading into his own net—forwards Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata answered with goals of their own, giving Juventus the win and continuing City's woes in the Champions League.

City will surely be shellshocked by the result. The Citizens held 59 percent of possession, outshot the Italians 13-10 (5-3 on goal) and earned six corners to a measly one for Juventus, per ESPN FC.

City nearly opened the scoring in the game's early minutes, as Fernandinho forced a Juventus turnover in the midfield and raced forward. He slid a pass to Raheem Sterling on the left side of the box, and the former Liverpool man ripped a quick shot toward goal. Gianluigi Buffon was up to the task, however, saving the effort, and the ball was cleared before David Silva could deposit the rebound in the back of the net.

Juan Cuadrado, one of the top performers in the first half, found himself with space to shoot at the 31st-minute mark but pushed his shot wide. Still, he was a bright spot for Juventus, per Oliver Holt of the Daily Mail:

Oliver Holt ✔ @OllieHolt22
Cuadrado unrecognisable from player he was at Chelsea. Bright, ambitious, sharp. Looks like he has his confidence back.

Moments later, Wilfried Bony almost had a goal of his own for Manchester City after pulling off a bit of brilliant skill, per Tom Williams of AFP:

Tom Williams ✔ @tomwfootball
Sensational nutmeg on Chiellini by Bony, who then shanks about 15 yards wide with his left foot.

Fernandinho came close to finally breaking through for City in the 40th minute, as a Juventus clearance attempt bounced to his feet outside of the box. But his slicing, rocket of a shot soared just wide of the net.

The majority of the opening half was all about City possession and Juventus' traditional, resolute defending. The Citizens held 58 percent of possession and outshot their opponents, 8-4 (1-0 on goal), but neither side could manage a goal.

City would strike first with a little help from Juventus, however, as Chiellini's controversial own goal in the 57th minute gave City a 1-0 lead. It appeared as though Kompany had fouled Chiellini as the corner kick came into the box, climbing over the Italian defender before the ball hit Chiellini's head and went into the goal.

Chiellini was livid after the fact, and Matteo Bonetti of beIN Sports sympathised:

Matteo Bonetti ✔ @TheCalcioGuy
2nd look at it - seems a foul from Kompany on Chiellini. Big Giorgio has a case this time.

So too did Guardian contributor Paolo Bandini:

Paolo Bandini @Paolo_Bandini
Chiellini won't get much sympathy, because he's not shy of similar tactics when he can get away with them, but that was a foul by Kompany.

City weren't about to give it back, however, and were absolutely buzzing after the goal. Minutes later, they would nearly strike on the counter, with Silva setting up Sterling with acres of space, again on the left side of the box. And again, Buffon would make a diving save, this time adding a save on Silva's shot attempt off of the rebound. It was a crucial moment for the Italian side, which easily could have been down by a 2-0 scoreline.

Bony would have his own crack at goal moments later. But again Buffon's positioning was superb, and he came up with the save.

The game remained fairly open from there, and Juventus would have their equaliser in short order.

Paul Pogba's absolutely brilliant pass over the City defense into the box found a streaking Mandzukic, who needed only the slightest of touches to deflect the ball past a helpless Joe Hart and into the net.

Fox Soccer on Twitter shared the goal:

FOX Soccer ✔ @FOXSoccer
Mandzukic turns home a wonderful Pogba ball over the top to equalize for Juventus.

Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC aptly summed up the moment:

Miguel Delaney @MiguelDelaney
That Pogba pass is perfection.

Morata would then give the visiting side a shock 2-1 lead in the 81st minute, curling a sensational shot past Hart, who never had a chance:

FOX Soccer ✔ @FOXSoccer
Alvaro Morata curls home from distance to complete the Juventus comeback at Manchester City.

Yaya Toure tried to answer with a curler of his own from outside of the box in the 88th minute, but Buffon was again stout, leaping to make another crucial save. The Citizens didn't create another quality chance the rest of the way and walked off the pitch without a single point, clearly dazed by the end result.


Post-Match Reaction

City remained defiant in the face of defeat.

"We played better than Juventus, but they scored two beautiful goals," manager Manuel Pellegrini told BT Sport after the match (h/t Football Italia).

Toure felt Juventus were a bit fortunate on the day as well, though he gave them credit for their performance.

“It was a disappointing game," he told BT Sport (h/t Football Italia). "The Italian team played very well, defended very well and I think they’ve been lucky. I don’t think we played that bad."

The game's hero, Morata, felt the game was a crucial moment in the season for Juventus, as he told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia):

It’s a very important victory for us. 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.

Juve will be hoping it isn't a high point and simply the beginning of a successful run in the Champions League, however. And City will just be trying to put this match behind themselves.

City will next face Borussia Monchengladbach in Champions League play on Sept. 30 in what has become a must-win game for the club, while Juventus will face Sevilla that same day.

[Socrates 7976]

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 2 - Manchester City 1: Initial
reaction and random observations

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/9/15/9334037/juventus-manchester-city-uefa-champions-league-group-stage-final-score-result-initial-reaction

Sep 15, 2015
 
And then, down a goal in the second half and away from home, Juventus showed its old self once again.

Welcome back, old friend. We've certainly missed you.

Juventus got its first win of the season Tuesday night. And not just its first win of the season, but a come-from-behind win at the Etihad against a Manchester City side that had yet to allow a goal all season. A pair of strikers whose respective starts to the season pretty much resembled Juventus' as a whole ended up being the difference. Mario Mandzukic, just like in the Supercoppa against Lazio, got the first goal and Ávlaro Morata scored the game-winner with an incredible bender that left Joe Hart absolutely hopeless as he dove in vain.

There's a reason why the players celebrated Morata's goal so wonderfully. We all should do the same, to be completely honest with you.

You will watch them slide along the grass in slow motion 1,000 more times and be totally okay with it. Don't disagree because you know it's true. You might even want to do some knee slides of your own across your kitchen floor because of the result Juventus just got. And you know what? I will be totally okay with it, too. Knee slides for everybody!

This wasn't just the kind of result Juventus wanted, but it was also a result they needed. We knew this team had the talent and potential to get it done on the big stage, they just hadn't shown all that much just yet. That all changed Tuesday, as Juve not only fought back from a 1-0 deficit away from home, but then watched Morata give them the lead and hold on for the final 10 minutes or so.

For a team that had struggled to fight back and show that extra something to get over the hump in their previous three Serie A games, they found it in droves in Manchester. It was what we've been waiting for out of this team, and they couldn't have picked a better time to show all of us watching from near and afar what they're truly capable of.

It's not the final product, but it's a damn good start.

The amount of confidence the Juventus players — who weren't lacking confidence even with how the season began — are carrying with them back to Turin tonight must be amazing. You see the joy they had after Morata's goal and after the final whistle and you realize just how much this kind of win means to them.

Not bad for a Champions League opener, huh? Yep, not bad at all.

JuventusFC ✔ @juventusfcen
.@OfficialAllegri: "The #UCL is a fascinating competition that motivates everyone."

Fascinating sure is one way to put it, Max. And if they keep celebrating game-winning goals with knee slides, then I'm all for this fascination.


Random thoughts and observations

If somebody tells you Gianluigi Buffon isn't the best goalkeeper in the world right now, show them this game and say nothing else. This was, for all intents and purposes, the most vintage Buffon game of all the Buffon games. He's my easy pick for Man of the Match, and it's not even close. Almost every save Buffon made was a world-class save. That double save kept Juventus in the match, and his save on Yaya Toure — which was just straight ridiculous — kept Juventus in the lead.

Greatest. Of. All. Time.

End of story.

Speaking of vintage games, that was a vintage Paul Pogba kind of game. And in a game where Juventus really did need Pogba to be at his best. The assist on Mandzukic's goal will obviously be one of the highlights, but just the overall game Pogba had was reminiscent of so many games before. That's what Juve needed from Pogba in a game of this magnitude against an opponent like City.

Now we can end the "Juve can't win with Pirlo, Tevez and Vidal" talk. Because they've won without Pirlo, Tevez and Vidal — and on the big stage, too.

I wonder if Chelsea fans were watching this game going, "Hey, where was THIS Juan Cuadrado after we signed him for all that money?" What an impact he's made in such a short period of time already.

That was a foul on Vincent Kompany. We all know it. Except for the guys who actually make the decisions on what's a foul and what isn't.

Stefano Sturaro's night started with turnovers, giveaways and a lot of overall sluggishness. Against a speedy team like City, he was a half-step behind when he couldn't afford to be. But as time went on, he grew into the match. He had some huge tackles in the second half as Man City looked to get a second goal. We talk about the team needing confidence, and the same can be said for Sturaro individually.

Álvaro Morata is starting to become a goal-scoring force in the Champions League. Think about it. These are the teams he's scored goals against in the Champions League in the calendar year of 2015:

Borussia Dortmund. Real Madrid (again and again). Barcelona. Manchester City.

That's pretty impressive, folks. Pretty, pretty impressive.

That's how it's done, fellas. That's how it's done.

[Socrates 7976]

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

Pellegrini: 'City goal was a foul'

http://www.football-italia.net/73024/pellegrini-city-goal-was-foul?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Manuel Pellegrini admits Manchester City’s goal against Juventus “clearly should’ve been disallowed.”

Giorgio Chiellini put the ball into his own net from a corner, but only after Vincent Kompany had climbed on to his shoulders.

Shown the replay by Italian television Mediaset Premium, the City manager confessed “yes, it clearly should’ve been disallowed.”

Juve went on to win the Champions League clash 2-1 at the Etihad with Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata strikes.

“We hope to turn this around when we play them in Turin. Tonight we were faced with an extraordinary Gigi Buffon.

“Despite the defeat, we dominated until that strange (?) Juventus goal. We kept the ball more than they did and created more chances.

“Last year we started with a defeat too, but we qualified anyway.”

[Socrates 7976]

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

Gigi Buffon is perhaps the best keeper
ever, says Juventus coach Max Allegri

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/2614716/juventus-max-allegri-says-gianluigi-buffon-is-best-keeper?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Massimiliano Allegri described Gianluigi Buffon as possibly the greatest goalkeeper of all time after the veteran Italian made a string of saves to help Juventus win 2-1 against Manchester City.

The 37-year-old denied Raheem Sterling twice, David Silva and Yaya Toure as Juve, who are yet to win in Serie A, began their Champions League campaign by taking three points against the Premier League leaders.

Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata scored the goals and Allegri hailed his players for a show of character while singling out Buffon for particular praise.

"I hope he will go on for as long as possible, certainly as long as I am manager," Allegri said in a news conference.

"Buffon is someone who is extraordinary goalkeeper, perhaps the best ever in the history of football. He never fails."

Buffon has won 150 caps for Italy and six Serie A titles, plus the World Cup in 2006, and Allegri believes he remains as good as ever.

"Buffon pulled off many miraculous saves, particularly just after we went 1-0 down," he added.

Paul Pogba, who was a summer transfer target for City, provided the cross for Mandzukic's equaliser and Allegri said it was vital Juventus kept the coveted Frenchman.

"Of course it was important," he added. "A manager always needs to have really good players and great players in the squad. You saw Pogba played really well today. He is now getting back to showing us exactly what he can do. He is a great player."

Allegri was delighted with his side's resilience and felt they merited the victory, explaining: "I think the players played extremely well. They have shown a great deal of character.

"They were well disciplined and had lots of confidence even when they were losing 1-0. I am very pleased for the boys. I think they deserved it."

[Socrates 7976]

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

Sacchi: 'Juve only team playing'

http://www.football-italia.net/73025/sacchi-juve-only-team-playing?

Sep 15, 2015
 
Arrigo Sacchi said “there was only one team on the pitch and that was Juventus” against Manchester City.

The Bianconeri fought back from a controversial own goal to win the Champions League fixture 2-1 at the Etihad.

“There was only one team on the pitch and that was Juventus,” coaching legend Sacchi told Mediaset Premium.

“The Bianconeri are more united and compact than City. Massimiliano Allegri didn’t get a single thing wrong. He got the right line-up and tactics, proving he believes in his lads.

“Juve deservedly won, as they were the only ones playing as an organised team.”