JUST when Manchester City’s fans night couldn’t get worse – they were blocked from leaving Juventus’ Allianz Stadium after full-time.
The arena PA told City’s near 2,000 away fans to stay inside the ground until they were told otherwise, after Pep Guardiola’s side were comprehensively beaten 2-0 in Turin.
Man City fans have been kept inside the Allianz Stadium
Pep Guardiola applauded the City away end after his side lost 2-0 at Juventus
This game – played in the shadow of the Alps – showed just how far they have fallen since the end of October.
And City supporters were kept from sneaking into the comfort of their hotels, after being forced to stay behind and watch the home side gloat.
A journalist in the stadium wrote on X: “Man City fans trying to leave the Juventus Stadium have just been told over loudspeaker that they have to stay until they’re allowed out. Brutal.”
But it is common practice for away fans to be kept back for a while to prevent any fan disturbances, with that unspoken rule particularly prevalent in Italian fixtures.
Yet the City team and manager have more pressing issues at hand as they stand on the brink of Champions League elimination.
It’s just eight points from six games in Europe this season, with Guardiola’s side dropping from 17th to 22nd in the standings – and the top 24 go through.
They’ve lost SEVEN of their last 1O games in all competitions, with Manchester United travelling to the Etihad in the Prem on Sunday.
Wednesday night’s loss makes it the club’s worse run since the days of Stuart Pearce in 2009.
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City have two European games remaining to get themselves through against Paris Saint-Germain and Club Brugge at home.
Dusan Vlahovic‘s header opened the scoring for Juventus as City failed to clear in the 53rd minute.
While former Prem loanee with Leeds Weston McKennie‘s volley doubled their advantage on the break in the 75 minute.
City host fierce rivals United, who play in the Europa League tomorrow, in the Manchester derby on Sunday.
What happens next?
Those in ninth to 24th enter a round of two-legged play-offs in February, with the winners taking the other eight spots in the last 16.
Those who finish ninth to 16th will be seeded for the play-offs, so will have the second leg at home.
Those from 17th to 24th will be unseeded, so have the first leg at home.
Teams that finish anywhere from 25th to 36th will be eliminated from this season’s competition, with no access to the Europa League.
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