3 takeaways from Juventus' narrow victory over Manchester City

Juventus produced a professional performance against Manchester City on Wednesday to trump its English rival 1-0, and confirm qualification into the Champions League round of 16.

In an entertaining yet slightly scrappy match between the sides, Mario Mandzukic's short-range effort in the 18th minute was enough to take the spoils at the Juventus Stadium. The three points also leaves the Old Lady with a two-point cushion atop of Group D.

City will need to win at home against Monchengladbach in the final matchday, and for Sevilla to be victorious against the Old Lady, in order to finish with a top seed for the knockout round.

Here are the three main takeaways from the midweek meeting between Juventus and Manchester City:

The antithesis of Paul Pogba and Yaya Toure

Before Paul Pogba's pivotal run that ended with Mandzukic prodding home, Yaya Toure had a foray forward of his own.

Toure looked laboured as he strode forward. The 32-year-old Ivorian can no longer rely on his bursting runs of old, but he is instead over-reliant on his strength as he tries to shoulder and lunge himself into decent positions. In this mode, his ball retention is atrocious, and possession escaped him while he embarrassingly slipped over.

Pogba then picked up the ball at the edge of his own area, skipped past a City challenge on the halfway line, and confidently made his way up the pitch, head up, and looking to find the correct pass.

The recipient of the through ball, Alex Sandro, produced a fine cross for the goal, but it was the cultured and comfortable manner of Pogba's movement that created the goal. It also showed the stark contrast between himself, the conductor of the orchestra, and City's skipper, the frustrated backup triangle player.

Alex Sandro making the most of his opportunity

Alex Sandro has been gifted an opportunity to stake a claim for a starting berth, and he is taking it.

The €26-million summer buy from Porto has surprisingly found himself short of first team minutes this term, acting deputy for 34-year-old Patrice Evra, but has seized his chance since the Frenchman picked up an ankle problem against AC Milan last Saturday.

The Brazilian was superb against City. Sandro and Pogba's interplay was frightening at times, with the latter playing with a fantastic freedom alongside his new teammate. Sandro's cross for Mandzukic showed the whip and accuracy that he has in that left foot, and kept movement at a minimum for the goalscorer - which is ideal for the clumsy Croatian.

Sandro's work wasn't just going forward. His efforts also helped the Juventus back three in keeping City quiet for much of the tie. His 78th minute withdrawal for Evra was rightfully awarded with a rapturous reception from the home support.

Jason Denayer would have been a nice option for City

With Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala unavailable through injury, Manuel Pellegrini selected Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis in the heart of his back line. Defensive youngsters Tosin Adarabioyo, and Pablo Maffeo, without a competitive first-team appearance between them, took their spots on the bench.

Juventus was by far the stronger side in the first half, as City - and most alarmingly its defence - struggled to get to grips with those in black and white stripes.

Meanwhile, over at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, one of Manchester City's finest young talents was lining up for his tenth start in European competition.

Jason Denayer is on his second consecutive season-long loan from the club, this time at Galatasaray, and has displayed his fantastic composure and maturity since his temporary transfer in Turkey. All of this despite cropping up in an unfamiliar role at right-back a lot of the time.

The Belgian was unfortunately stretchered off during Galatasaray's 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid, but City fans must still be bemoaning the decision to loan him out for another season - particularly when Demichelis has looked every bit of his 34 years in this campaign, seeing his side concede 11 goals in his five competitive starts.

City has one of the oldest lineups in European football. Maybe it's time to put trust in the kids.