08 September 2024
Juventus’ most highly anticipated fixture in the 2024/25 Champions League league phase is undeniably that which takes place this Wednesday, 11 December, with Premier League champions Manchester City visiting the Allianz Stadium.
It won’t be the first meeting between the two side, as there have already been six such occasions in the past. The first came in 1976 in the UEFA Cup, when Juventus lost the first leg 1-0 away from home, but turned things around with a 2-0 home win in the second. Back in 2010, two 1-1 draws were produced in their Europa League games - again in the group phase - before Champions League ties in 2015 which saw the Bianconeri win 2-1 away with goals from Mario Mandzukic and Alvaro Morata and then win 1-0 at home.
MANCHESTER CITY'S HISTORY
The club derives from West Gorton St. Marks, a club that had been founded in 1880 and renamed as Ardwick AFC in 1887 before moving to Hyde Road 10 years later, where it was then refounded as Manchester City FC on 16 April, 1897. From 1923 until 2003 they played their home games at Maine Road - demolished in 2004 - and moved the to the City of Manchester Stadium across the city.
City’s history - albeit mostly recent - is filled with success. In all they have 10 league titles, seven FA Cups, eight League Cups, seven FA Community Shields, a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup title.
They are England’s fourth club as far as success is concerned (31 trophies), and have recently become a European superpower.
They are undoubtedly one of the teams to beat in the Champions League this season.
MANCHESTER CITY THIS SEASON
After a strong start to the season, Pep Guardiola's side have suffered a surprising slum in form of late, winning just one of their last nine matches in all competitions, which includes six defeats. They currently sit fourth in the Premier League standings, eight points off leaders Liverpool (who have a game in hand), and sit 17th on the Champions League table, level with Juventus on eight points after five matches. Their last league encounter over the weekend saw them fight back to draw 2-2 at Crystal Palace.
As always, the Citizens will always pose a threat, and should not be under-estimated ahead of this week's continental clash.
