“They scored first and we had several chances to equalise”, said the manager in his Press conference.
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With just one set of fixtures remaining in the group stages of this season’s Champions League the jostling for qualification and positions is firmly taking shape.
“In the first half and second half we had chances to draw, but we have to bounce back in the next game that is coming”.
“It is very important in this type of game to score the first goal”.
Hart is crucial to City’s fortunes and his injury is the latest to inflict Pellegrini’s squad, which suddenly looks vulnerable.
Captain Vincent Kompany will not be back for at least two weeks while David Silva, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Pablo Zabaleta and Eliaquim Mangala were all absent for the game in Turin. – Former Manchester City player Rodney Marsh calls for more support for striker Sergio Aguero.
The Italians were good value for their victory, with reported City target Paul Pogba outstanding, but the injury-hit visitors had a host of chances in an entertaining contest.
Despite the dual commitments, Pellegrini is keen for his side to learn to cope with both competitions, something he expects all big clubs to aspire to. He has a problem in his hamstring. “We will see on Thursday the medical report about the other players and then we will see the team that must start on Saturday against Southampton”.
The Premier League giants won all their Champions League games this season except against Juve, who did the double.
Juventus only need a draw to be sure of topping the group as they have a better head-to-head record against Manuel Pellegrini’s side, having beaten them twice.
City nearly leveled before Hart went off but Andrea Barzagli got his body in the way to prevent a certain goal from substitute Raheem Sterling.
Aguero, largely starved of service, had a 67th-minute volley deflected wide before making way for Sterling and Pellegrini’s new attacking spearhead endured a moment to forget 10 minutes from time. When we adjusted to play the one up front, and a lot more solid in the middle of the pitch, I think we managed, we had that little spell when we got to three out of four finals.
“At the moment it is impossible to know what he has so we will see tomorrow”.
“With all the injuries we have I think this counts as a good performance”.
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The mood at Italy’s other Champions League contender, AS Roma, is very different after Tuesday’s 6-1 drubbing at Barcelona.
