Manchester City’s search for a statement victory in Europe goes on. Here in Italy they didn’t really come close. It would be unfair to be too critical. Juventus are a good side once again these days – they were last year’s Champions League finalists, remember – and have only lost once at home in all competitions this season. City were missing key players here as well. Nevertheless, if City really are going to make those big steps in Europe that seem so maddeningly beyond them then they are somehow going to have to find bigger performances than this on the really important occasions.Mario Mandzukic puts Juventus ahead after 18 minutes, converting a fine cross from Alex SandroJoe Hart denies Mandzukic doubling his tally, before Alvaro Morata inches from making it 2-0 with his first touchFernandinho and Yaya Toure both go close for Manchester City, but Italian champions hold outRaheem Sterling misses from close range, while Joe Hart is taken off injured after several good savesCity have already qualified for the last 16, but their finishing position in the group is not yet confirmedChampions League 2015-16: Latest news, scores, fixtures and highlights
As such, _ playmakers like the colossal Paul Pogba were allowed to stroll through the game relatively untroubled.