Manchester City’s Poor Run Continues with 2-0 Loss to Juventus

Manchester City’s struggles deepened on Wednesday with a 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League, jeopardizing their chances of progressing to the knockout stage. Second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie sealed victory for the Italian side while City’s poor form continued, marking their seventh loss in their last 10 matches across all competitions. Currently 22nd in the Champions League standings, City are clinging to a play-off spot with two games remaining: away to Paris Saint-Germain on January 22 and a home clash with Club Brugge a week later.

They sit just one point ahead of PSG in 25th, heightening the pressure on their remaining fixtures. City’s performance in Turin mirrored their recent struggles. They failed to register a shot on target until late in the first half when Erling Haaland’s attempt was saved by Michele di Gregorio. Although they dominated possession early, the team lacked urgency and cutting edge in attack. The breakthrough for Juventus came in the second half when Vlahovic’s header crossed the line after a defensive scramble.

McKennie doubled the lead soon after, capitalizing on Timothy Weah’s cross as Manchester City left gaps in pursuit of an equalizer. Despite Ilkay Gundogan forcing a fine save, City’s lack of control and offensive sharpness proved costly. The defeat extends a poor run for Pep Guardiola’s side, whose once-reliable resilience now seems absent. This latest setback not only dents their European ambitions but also undermines confidence ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.

While a recent 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest suggested a revival, subsequent struggles including a draw with Crystal Palace, highlight a team far from its usual standards. Guardiola’s side must urgently find solutions to salvage their season.