(Juventus celebrate their victory - image via Juventus Official Facebook)
For Massimiliano Allegri and his players, this was momentous. His team were savaged in the summer transfer window. The Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal shaped wounds have forced the Old Lady into complete submission so far this term - they're yet to win a game in Serie A. But for Manchester City fans, this was just the same old City they have seen in Europe for the last five years - a team unrecognisable to the one that has been foolproof in the Premier League.
Manchester City's fear factor in Europe stems purely from big money signings and intimidating words. When asked whether City's current squad was the best since he joined the club, skipper Vincent Kompany said "early signs would say so," but without results, those words are hollow.
The Blues have only ever managed to reach the last 16 of the Champions League and have never won a truly meaningful game against any of the 'big guns' they wish to compete with. When Sergio Agüero provided an individual masterclass in City's 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich last November, there was a feeling that Manuel Pellegrini's side may finally be swimming into the harbours of Europe's elite, but the Germans had already qualified and when City met Barcelona in the next round, they were brushed aside with ease.
City have been imperious in the Premier League this season. They have attacked with pace and have defended magnificently. They are yet to concede a goal and have scored 11 of their own. But there was very little of that acceleration and energy on Tuesday evening, and when it did present itself, City didn't take advantage. Raheem Sterling was his side's main threat on the counter attack but directed two weak efforts towards the feet of Gianluigi Buffon that could have sealed the game for the home team.
(Raheem Sterling squandered two important opportunities - image via Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Wilfried Bony was similarly wasteful upfront filling in for the injured Agüero. The Ivorian amused onlookers with a comical left footed effort on the half hour mark that flew well wide of Buffon's goal and failed to provide Aleksandar Kolarov with a target in the box throughout. The ex-Swansea forward has strength in abundance, but he lacks the mobility of Agüero that City could have utilised.
Bony's stats
Shots: 3
Shots on target: 1
Take ons: 1
Pass accuracy: 50%
The Blues were reckless in front of goal, but their persistence paid off ten minutes into the second half when Vincent Kompany climbed aboard the shoulders of Giorgio Chiellini and forced the Italian into nodding the ball into his own net. Furious protests assaulted the ears of referee Damir Skomima, but they couldn't prevent City's record from corners growing even more impressive.
Juventus, runners up in last season's Champions League, were obstructed on their quest for an equaliser by the exceptional Fernandinho. The Brazilian commanded the centre of the midfield, winning six tackles and contributing three interceptions to his side's resolute defensive display. This was a performance loaded with tenacity - the reason why Juventus's biggest threat remained quiet for most of the game.
Fernandinho's stats
Successful tackles: 6
Interceptions: 3
Clearances: 2
Blocks: 2
Chances created: 2
Pass accuracy: 95%
(Fernandinho was City's top passer and ball recoverer - image via @StatsZone)
But Europe's hottest property and perhaps City's most wanted man would not be kept at bay for much longer. With 20 minutes remaining, Paul Pogba whipped a delicious ball into the feet of Mario Mandžukić who tapped home to equalise. The Italian's Scudetto-winning quality began to surface and the game was won ten minutes later when Alvaro Morata's curling effort found the bottom corner of Joe Hart's goal.
Defensively, City had been terrific, but a late injury to the impenetrable Kompany cast the back line into uncertainty. Nicolas Otamendi was handed an unexpected debut, but was outwitted by Morata for Juventus's second goal and Aleksandar Kolarov resorted to old habits with a useless strike from 40 yards as the game approached its final minutes.
Manuel Pellegrini has the players at his disposal to mount a serious challenge for the Champions League trophy this term, but the Blues can not afford to play catch up yet again in an unforgiving Group D.
Player Ratings
Joe Hart 6
Bacary Sagna 6
Vincent Kompany 7.5
Eliaquim Mangala 7
Aleksandar Kolarov 6.5
Fernandinho 9
Yaya Touré 7
David Silva 6
Samir Nasri 6
Raheem Sterling 6.5
Wilfried Bony 5
Substitutes
Kevin De Bruyne 6
Wilfried Bony 5
Substitutes
Kevin De Bruyne 6
Nicolas Otamendi 5Sergio Agüero 5
