CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Manchester City Beaten By Juventus

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Juventus joined Manchester City in the Champions League knockout stages by beating Manuel Pellegrini’s men to move top of Group D.

Manchester City lost for the second game in succession as they were outclassed by Juventus in Turin, falling to a 1-0 defeat to leave them staring down the barrel of a tough second round tie against a group winner.

Mario Mandzukic scored the opener early in the first half, his second against City this season after netting Juventus’ equaliser in the reverse fixture at the Etihad, that strike proving the winner in a mistake-strewn game.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini made a trio of changes from the weekend’s mauling at the hands of Liverpool, bringing in Nicolas Otamendi, Gael Clichy and Fernandinho for Eliaquim Mangala, Aleksandar Kolarov and Raheem Sterling.

The City defence looked shaky from the start against a strong Juventus side, with Mandzukic joined by Paulo Dybala up front and Paul Pogba surging forward from midfield whenever there was a hint of an attacking opportunity.

Fernandinho blasted over from close range for the visitors before Mario Mandzukic volleyed last season’s losing finalists ahead soon after.

Fernando had a header tipped onto the post for City after the break, before Stefano Sturaro hit the post for Juve.

Substitute Raheem Sterling squandered a golden chance to equalise late on.

The Italians will now finish top of the group if they win at Sevilla in their final match.

Manchester City’s miserable night was compounded when goalkeeper Joe Hart was replaced late on because of injury.

Pellegrini has overseen City’s previous best Champions League campaigns by reaching the last 16 in the past two seasons.

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