Juventus beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday night in the Champions League, securing them a knockout round place.
Mario Mandzukic grabbed the game’s only goal early on with a first-time finish in the six-yard box.
The visitors started the better of the two teams and it was Fernandinho who had the first chance of the match. The Brazilian ran onto a half-cleared ball from a corner before steering a shot just wide of Gianluigi Buffon’s post.
It was the same man again who would let another chance go begging. Just after the quarter-hour mark Kevin De Bruyne cross fell to Fernandinho before blasting over.
Despite City’s early dominance Juventus took the lead just a moment later. Paul Pogba made a superb counter-attacking run before releasing Alex Sandro. The full-back delivered an inch perfect cross for Mandzukic to tap home.
The Croatian was inches away from a second before the half hour when the striker’s volley was well saved low down by Joe Hart.
On the stroke of half-time Claudio Marchisio’s shocking back-pass let in Sergio Aguero but Buffon was quick off his line to thwart the Argentinian.
The second-half started as the first one ended with both sides going at each other from the whistle. Fernando directed a header to the bottom corner only for Buffon to push the effort onto post before substitute Alvaro Morata chipped the ball over Hart that was also met by the woodwork.
The game started to slowly ease of its earlier pace until the final ten minutes. Substitute Raheem Sterling had a wonderful chance thwarted when De Bruyne burst down the wing before crossing low into the box, only for Andrea Barzagli to block Sterling’s effort.
The result saw Juventus claim top spot in Group D going into the final matchday.
