UCL: Another defeat puts Pep into more trouble

For months, former Arsenal target Dušan Vlahović has been under heavy fire in Italy, facing criticism from all sides. Even figures from the world of football have been offering advice, trying to present themselves as friends. The Serbian striker had gone over a month without a goal, struggling with injuries and enduring harsh critiques. But when Juventus faced a do-or-die moment, when they were backed into a corner and desperately needed a win in the Champions League, Dušan Vlahović rose to the occasion. He delivered, breaking his goal drought with a crucial strike against Manchester City, paving Juventus' path to the spring phase of European football with a 2–0 (0–0) victory.

Manchester City looked dazed and out of sorts, unable to comprehend what hit them. Such a crisis is unprecedented in the era of their Arab ownership. For over a month now, error messages seem to flash across the screens at the Etihad Stadium—nothing is functioning properly. Pep Guardiola can’t seem to fix the issue, leaving him deeply frustrated. In their last ten matches, including tonight's, Manchester City has managed just one win! They briefly looked like their old selves against Nottingham Forest, but that was the sole exception—there, they didn't struggle or suffer.

The problem isn’t just the defense, where Pep Guardiola experimented by moving Joško Gvardiol from left-back to center-back. He played there again today, with Rico Lewis manning the left flank. However, the attack is also severely lacking. There’s no creativity, with Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne failing to shine, and that means Erling Haaland isn’t getting enough service. Haaland had one clear chance late in the first half when he broke through against Michele Di Gregorio but couldn’t find the net, striking the Italian goalkeeper’s hand instead. That was the only meaningful opportunity City created in the first half. Juventus wasn’t much better in that period, but they managed to slow the tempo and prevent the English champions from finding their rhythm. Manchester City looked toothless, while the hosts waited for their moment. Twice they tried through Kenan Yildiz, and the Turkish winger eventually made the difference in the second half.

After Federico Gatti’s bicycle kick attempt was blocked, Yildiz delivered a cross to the far post. Rising highest between Joško Gvardiol and Rico Lewis, Dušan Vlahović headed the ball past the goal line. City pushed forward and left themselves exposed, but Juventus manager Thiago Motta made an inspired double substitution, introducing Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie. The two Americans combined to seal the deal, with McKennie slotting the ball home and securing Juventus' European spring. Now Manchester City faces a nerve-wracking wait until late January. Their future hangs in the balance, and the schedule isn’t favorable. They first visit Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes—a team in an even worse position—and then host Club Brugge at the Etihad in the final round. However, by then, the pressure could be unbearable. A drowning man rarely thinks rationally. Pep Guardiola will face a test in the January transfer window unlike any he has encountered during his time in England.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND 6

Wednesday

Atl.Madrid - Slovan B. 3-1 (2-0)

/Griezmann 42, 57, Alvarez 16 - Strelec 51(p)/

Lille - Sturm 3-2 (2-1)

/Sahraoui 37, Bakker 45+2, Haraldosson 81 - Kiteishvili 45+4, Biereth 47/

Arsenal - Monaco 3-0 (1-0)

/Saka 34, 78, Havertz 88/

Benfica - Bologna 0-0

Dortmund - Barcelona 2-3 (0-0)

/Guirassy 60(p), 78 - Raphinha 52, Torres 75, 85/

Feyenoord - Sparta Praha 4-2 (3-1)

/Trauer 8, Paixao 10, Moussa 30, Gimenez 63 - Rrahmani 42, Beelen (og) 79/

Juventus - Man.City 2-0 (0-0)

/Vlahovic 53, McKennie 75/

Milan - Crvena Zvezda 2-1 (1-0)

/Leao 42, Abraham 87 - Radonjic 67/

Stuttgart - Young Boys 5-1 (1-1)

/Stiller 25, Millot 53, Fuhrich 61, Vagnoman 66, Keitel 75 - Lakomy 6/