2 weeks Ago By Upamanyu Sanyal
Manchester City will be travelling to Turin as they face Juventus in a fiery UEFA Champions League clash. Let us have a look at some of the top battles on the pitch that could decide the outcome. New Delhi: As the Champions League 2024/25 camapaign progresses ahead, we have a fierce battle in out hands as Manchester City will be travelling to face Juventus in Turin.
The last time these two sides met was back in 2015 in Champions League group stages where a Mario Mandzukic goal decided the draw, as Juve managed to edge past the Cityzens, 1-0. Manchester City with their recent struggles will be looking to make the most out of this opportunity, with Juventus themselves not having the best time in the Champions League this season. City managed to throw their previous game away, after leading 3-0 against Feyenoord, only to concede three to gift the Dutch side a point.
Pep Guardiola and the Cityzens are truly going throught a bad run of form, not just in the league but also taking damaging blows in European competitions. Before their draw against Feyenoord, City were absolutely battered 4-1 by the Portuguese side, Sporting CP which means that they sit 20th in the Champions League table, just two places above their opponents Juventus. It’s #UCL matchday! 🇮🇹⏳ #ManCity pic.
twitter.com/JIfxoomo61 — Manchester City (@ManCity) December 11, 2024 Juventus on the other hand, were staring at their first league defeat of the season by the hands of Bologna. However, a late strike from Mbangula ensured that the Old Lady maintained their undefeated league run in Serie A.
The Italian Giants aren’t having the best European run this season. They started the campaign off with two straight victories, but Thiago Motta’s side have fallen off with a a loss against Stuttgart. With their last two fixtures ending in draws, they sit 22nd in the table and now they face the English champions up next.
This match promises drama and excitement as we have some of the most talented players on the field going head to head against each other. Taking that into consideration, let’s have a look at some of the key battles on the pitch, as two former Champions League winners, Manchester City and Juventus will be facing each other in Turin. Chico Conceicao vs Josko Gvardiol Francisco Conceicao vs Josko Gvardiol (Via Reuters) An exciting showdown where two serious talents will be going head to head against each other will be Juve’s Portuguese sensation Chico Conceicao and Manchester City’s top summer signing, Josko Gvardiol.
The Portuguese international has been a brilliant prospect for the Italian side ever since he made his move from Porto. An electric winger, who has the speed, acceleration and the ability to impose some major threat to opposition defenders with his ball control and dribbling, will be looking to cause havoc in Manchester City’s box. His short frame maes him a difficult player to stop when he is charging towards the opposition area.
However, the winger will be up against the tremendously talented defender, Josko Gvardiol. The 22-year-old defender may have been criticised for his defending in his recent performances, suggesting that his defending isn’t up the mark this season, but he can produce the goods when his side needs them the most. A few errors can’t define the player’s ability, as his defensive attributes have been top notch.
Gvardiol has been a top signing for Pep’s side, with his attacking attributes, playing as a left back, and also as a central defender where he can produce some crucial interceptions and ability to man mark. Dusan Vlahovic vs Ruben Dias Dusan Vlahovic vs Ruben Dias (Via reuters) A battle of physicality always brings the excitement and muscle power. This battle between Vlahovic and Dias is the definition of two big men going head to head against each other to impose authority over one another.
Dusan Vlahovic has been on a hunt this season with nine goals in all competitions and he looks keen on adding to his tally further ahead. With three of those nine goals coming in the Champions League, he has had a more than decent start to his European campaign. His physicality and a nose for goal makes him a massive threat in the opposition box, but his ability to get into goal scoring positions and finishing completes his resume of being a deadly target man.
Manchester City dependable defender Ruben Dias will be given the tas to contain the Serbian forward ahead of their clash at Allianz. The Portuguese defender leads by an example and his mentality on the pitch is something that makes him a tough player to beat. Dias has an exceptional ability of putting in those one-on-one tackles, rough challenges, crucial blocks and interceptions, which makes him one of the best defenders in the world right now.
His aerial dominance will be a key factor in this battle too, where two physical specimens will be going head to head against each other, but the actual area that would make him a crucial player for City is his game reading ability. A true physical contest awaits us tonight. Manuel Locatelli vs Kevin De Bruyne Manu Locatelli vs Kevin De Bruyne (via Getty and Reuters) A Juve player that has gradually made his presence felt in the squad is Manuel Locatelli.
A top class central midfielder, whio can also play as a number 6 has a lot to offer to this Juventus side. His defensive actions and the ability to read the game makes him a true asset for Thiago Motta’s side. He has been in this squad for a while now and produces a good shift in the midfield, playing in a central role, and gradually moving back in the number 6 role when needed.
It won’t be an easy night for the Italian midfielder as he will be up against one of the best brains in football, Kevin De Bruyne. Arguably one of the best defenders of this generation, the Manchester City verteran will be looking to cause havoc in the middle of the park. His exceptional vision and passing ability,which is out of this world makes him an important figure down the middle for Pep’s side.
Besides, the Belgian superstar is a massive threat from outside the box with that rocket of a right foot, as he has proven in the past. De Bruyne has all the attributes that a coach needs from his offensive midfielder and this battle will be one to look out for. Federico Gatti vs Erling Haaland Federico Gatti vs Erling Haaland (via Reuters and AP) A battle that may well decide the tie, where the Norwegian goal machine will be up against a stubborn Italian defender, Federico Gatti.
The Juventus backline will be led by the Italian, Federico Gatti, who has a massive frame that would help him go head to head against the Aerial threat of Erling Haaland. Gatti has gained a good amount of game time this season, where he has been a good asset for the Juve side and he will be looking to put his defensive attributes into play against a top European side. The Italian will be assigned with a monumental task of holding Erling Haaland, who will be hungry to dominate in this physical battle.
Even in one of his poor runs of form, the Norwegian has already registered 18 goals this season, five of which have been scored in the Champions League. Haaland has maintained his reputation of being one of the deadliest strikers in all of Europe, and he looks keener than ever to score more goals after an inconsistent run of form. However, there is no doubt about the fact that his goal scoring abilities are something to match and on his day, he can do single handedly destroy the opposition.
Click for more latest Football news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Upamanyu Sanyal has been a sports content writer for a while now.
He is a sports enthusiast and a dedicated sports writer working under News9. He has been following football since 2009 and has written a numerous analytical as well as factual pieces on the beautiful game. He himself has played football at a very high level and he loves to write, report and debate about football stories.
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