Manchester City’s hopes of winning the group and obtaining an attractive last-16 draw are remote following this reverse. They must defeat Borussia Mönchengladbach and hope Sevilla beat Juventusin the final round to do so.


A disappointing evening was summed up by the excellent Joe Hart having to be replaced near the end by Willy Caballero. “It is
impossible to know how serious. He has a problem with his hamstring,” said Manuel Pellegrini. “He has been carrying a problem in his back. If for some reason he cannot play I have trust in Willy. It is impossible to know at the moment.”


Of the result the manager said: “Both teams played well and we were unlucky to lose. The group is not finished. We have to wait on Juve playing Sevilla away from home. That is a difficult game.”


Pre-kick-off, the fare was pure theatre. To the sound of a booming PA, thetifosiwaved black and white flags – their beloved side’s colours – and one stand of the soberly named Juventus Sstadium spelt out Juve in a bout of Broadway-standard stage management.