Two underperforming giants collide in Turin as Juventus host Manchester City on Wednesday in a high-stakes Champions League showdown.
Both groups, enduring underwhelming campaigns, are determined to reignite their seasons.
City’s downward spiral
Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens, reigning Premier League champions, discover themselves in uncharted waters.
A catastrophic 3-3 draw towards Feyenoord on the Etihad noticed City blow a commanding three-goal lead within the ultimate 20 minutes.
This marked a continuation of their European woes, following a 4-1 drubbing by Sporting CP in Lisbon.
With simply eight factors of their group, City teeter on the point of playoff elimination – a stark distinction to their dominance in previous campaigns, the place they topped their group for seven straight seasons.
Adding insult to harm, City’s protection has crumbled, conceding seven targets of their final two Champions League matches after beginning the competitors with three clear sheets.
Domestically, the rot has unfold.
A 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace final weekend prolonged their winless streak to 9 video games throughout all competitions.
Rico Lewis’ equalizer salvaged a degree however was overshadowed by his subsequent pink card. Guardiola’s facet heads to Italy determined to keep away from an undesirable membership file: a six-match winless streak in European competitors towards Juventus.
Juventus: Draw specialists
Juventus, beneath Thiago Motta, should not faring significantly better.
After an unbeaten begin within the Champions League with back-to-back wins, the Bianconeri have managed simply two factors from their final three matches.
A irritating Serie A marketing campaign sees them languishing seven factors off the highest, slowed down by an astonishing 19 attracts because the 12 months started.
Last weekend’s dramatic 2-2 comeback towards Bologna epitomized Juve’s struggles.
Falling two targets behind, Teun Koopmeiners sparked the revival, and Samuel Mbangula’s 92nd-minute strike salvaged a degree.
Despite their attacking inconsistency, Juventus boast Serie A’s greatest protection, with simply 10 targets conceded and 10 clear sheets from 15 video games.
Key battles and lineups
City’s squad stays battered by accidents.
Phil Foden, sidelined by bronchitis, may return, whereas defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji be a part of John Stones and Mateo Kovacic on the harm checklist.
Rodri and Oscar Bobb stay long-term absentees.
Guardiola could lean on Matheus Nunes, who has been in scintillating type in Europe, contributing three assists in his final three outings.
Juventus welcome again Dusan Vlahovic, who returned from a thigh harm to start out towards Bologna.
Nicolo Savona has additionally regained health, whereas Thiago Motta is prone to stick with Pierre Kalulu and Federico Gatti on the again.
However, accidents to key gamers, together with Weston McKennie, Nico Gonzalez, and ex-City defender Douglas Luiz, go away gaps within the squad.
History and stakes
The Turin giants have loved dominance on this fixture, unbeaten of their final 5 matches towards City in European competitors.
Since their inaugural assembly in 1976, the Old Lady has gained three and drawn two, a streak City shall be determined to finish.
For Guardiola’s facet, a victory is crucial to maintain their Champions League marketing campaign alive and restore confidence.
For Juventus, it’s a possibility to reclaim momentum in a season marred by mediocrity.
Source: www.dailysabah.com