Premier League leaders Manchester City start their 2015-16 Champions League campaign against last year’s runner-up, Juventus, at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night. City have never progressed through to the knock-out stages of the competition, but this year it could be their best chance to mark a strong impression in Europe.
The Citizens have won five games in a row, and they have shown the mentality of a champions after grinding out a late victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, the goal coming via a late winner from a teenage sub.
Match: Manchester City vs Juventus
Competition: Champions League
Date: 15th September, 2015
Time: 7.45pm UK time
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Live Stream: BT Sports , Ten Sports , Fox Soccer
TV Info: Live on BT Sport
Juventus in contrast have been struggling badly in the new campaign so far. They have yet to register a win, lost in their opening matches, and just narrowly managed a draw against Chievo Verona on Saturday, after Paulo Dybala scored a late penalty to rescue from further misery and humiliation.
Former England manager Fabio Capello has said that Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba needs to step up and fulfil his potential. The Serie A champions desperately need inspiration from their midfield players, and they will look up to the French midfielder to deliver on Tuesday.
“Now Pogba needs to do something important, he has the potential to be a super player but, with the steering wheel in his hands, he must show that he can drive,” he told Tuttosport, via Football Italia.
Pogba, not for the first time, had been heavily linked with a move away from Turin, with Chelsea reportedly were ready to offer €85m to the Bianconeri for his signature.
Manchester City vs Juventus Team News
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero is a major doubt for the Citizens. The former Atletico striker suffered a nasty injury through a strong tackle from Scott Dann at the weekend, but given the importance of the match, probably he will shake off the knock. David Silva and Raheem Sterling should also recover from their minor injury problems.
Juventus have suffered a huge blow with Claudio Marchisio has been ruled out for a month with a muscle problem. German international Sami Khedira remains injured which means Brazilian Hernanes will continue in the middle.
Predicted Line Ups: Manchester City vs Juventus
Manchester City Possible Lineup: Hart, Sagna, Mangala, Kompany, Kolarov, Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero
Juventus Possible Lineup: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Cuadrado, Pereyra, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra, Dybala, Mandzukic
Key Stats: Manchester City vs Juventus
2- Man City have only won two of their last 10 Champions League games.
4 – David Silva has registered four assists so far
6 – Juventus have lost the Champions final more times than any other club
Head to head: Manchester City have yet to win against Juventus (2 D, 1 L)
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Juventus
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