A first-half strike from Mario Mandzukic saw Juventus, last season’s beaten finalists, into the last 16 after Massimiliano Allegri’s men produced a dominant display in Turin to drop City into second place in Group D at two points adrift.
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Throughout the contest, City had chances to score but were inefficient with their finishing, forcing them to head back to England empty-handed when they could have come away with something more.
“Both teams played well and we were unlucky to lose this game”, he said.
City will now have to defeat Borussia Monchengladbach at the Etihad Stadium in their final group game next month and hope Sevilla can do them a favour by defeating Juve on home soil.
“In my last one [against Tottenham] I made a mistake but these things can happen even if you’re playing every week”.
City, already through, had the first opportunity but Fernandinho’s low drive from the edge of the penalty area flew narrowly wide, here on Wednesday.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini had earlier confirmed that the 28-year-old had been struggling with a back problem during the week, and hinted that the hamstring strain was a by-product of that earlier injury.
“We have to see what Juventus will do against Sevilla”, said Pellegrini, who also complained that his defender Nicolas Otamendi was fouled by Mandzukic before the Croatian scored.
City keeper Hart limped off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury late in the second-half and was replaced by Willy Caballero.
Fernando nodded the ball downward and it hit the under of the post but Yaya Toure failed to score from a rebound, Buffon alert to the situation.
Meanwhile, City are third in the league table at the moment with 26 points from 13 matches, just two points two behind leaders Leicester City.
“We tried to dominate the game and I am not unhappy the way we played because this is not an easy team or stadium to come to, but it is not the result we wanted. We have got through in the Champions League too, and that is not so easy”, said Allegri.
Louis van Gaal’s side must win against group leaders Wolfsburg to be guaranteed of qualifying for the knockout stage – and victory would also mean they top Group B.
“With all the injuries we have I think this counts as a good performance”.
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“We hope not to lose him. It was not the same as against Liverpool, when we did not play so well”.
