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Patrice Evra: Former Man United defender says Premier League is 'exciting' but 'tactically limited' after Juventus beat naive Man City

Italian teams are 'better prepared tactically'

Wednesday 16 September 2015 18:15 BST

(Getty Images)

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has aimed a dig at the Premier League's elite.

Evra was a solid presence for Juventus as the Italian champions came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

The French defender believes that English team's are naive on big European nights, despite being the most "exciting" to watch.

"The Italian teams are better prepared tactically and that makes the difference in the Champions League," Evra told L'Equipe.

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

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1/25Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

MANCHESTER CITY: Joe Hart

England's No 1 produced a couple of fantastic saves to keep City in the game, but it was for nothing. Back to his best and nothing he could do about either goal. 8/10

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Bacary Sagna

The physical right-back stood up to everything Juve threw at him down the right. But didn't offer enough going forward. 6

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Vincent Kompany

Should have been penalised for the goal for climbing all over Giorgio Chiellini, but was impressive before going off. Hopefully his injury is not too bad. 7

EPA

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Eliaquim Mangala

Still doesn't look anything like worth the many millions paid for his services. Athletically gifted but short on class and out of position for the goal. 4

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Aleksandar Kolarov

Always a threat going forward and starting to become better defensively as well, but was outmuscled by Juan Cuadrado for the second goal. 6

AP

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Fernandinho

Full of energy but a level below the other midfielders when in possession. 5

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Yaya Toure

Subdued compared to his usual self mostly found himself being outplayed by the more adventurous Paul Pogba. 6

AP

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Samir Nasri

Often found himself completely out of the game and was well handled by Juve's physical defenders. A strange decision to replace Raheem Sterling rather than the Frenchman. 3

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

David Silva

His vision and touch are unmatched, the clever Spanish playmaker made numerous chances. Just a shame it was the overmatched Wilfried Bony rather than Sergio Aguero on the end of them. 7

PA

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Raheem Sterling

His pace and movement always make him dangerous but he wasted two very, very good chances, one in either half. Didn't get at Lichtsteiner as much as his manager would have wanted. 5

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Wilfried Bon

His first Champions League game in a long time and he wasn't up to the task. He failed to hold the ball up for his team-mates and was man-handled by Chiellini and Bonucci. 4

AP

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

FROM THE BENCH: Kevin De Bruyne

After an impressive debut on Saturday De Bruyne came on but didn't show much, as Juve closed ranks after going in front. 4

PA

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Nicolas Otamendi

Came on for Kompany and although he can't be blamed for the second goal, he looked a bit ring rusty as Morata powered past him to pick up the loose ball. 4

Getty Images

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

JUVENTUS: Gianluigi Buffon

Not looking close to his 37 years, Buffon is still one of the very best in the world. Never looked ruffled and pulled off one of the best double saves you are likely to see. 9

AP

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Stephan Lichtsteiner

A constant menace up and down the right hand side, Lichtsteiner is vastly underrated and easily one of the best in his position in the world. 8

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Leonardo Bonucci

Physical, burly and good in possession, Bonucci never allowed Bony to settle into any kind of rhythm. 7

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Giorgio Chiellini

By hook or by crook, Chiellni gets it done. He's niggly, often dirty, but you could tell he worried Bony. Was fouled when scoring an own goal. 8

Getty Images

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Patrice Evra

The former Manchester United defender is not the dynamic force he once was, but he's a wily defender. 7

Getty Images

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Hernanes

His effectiveness was blunted a bit by playing a deeper role but he's tremendous when on the ball. 7

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Paul Pogba

Another performance that shows Pogba is at the very top of the world game. Outperformed Toure and delivered the defining pass of the match for the equaliser. 8

Getty Images

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Stefano Sturaro

Got a way to go before he's at the level of departed Juve midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, but played with a passion and energy that made him a constant nuisance. 7

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Juan Cuadrado

ever played like that in a Chelsea shirt. Actually showed a bit of attacking intent and danger when in possession. 6

Reuters

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Alvaro Morata

Absolutely brilliant winner that gave Joe Hart no chance. Morata is fast developing into one of Europe's best. One wonders why Real Madrid ever sold him. 8

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

Mario Mandzukic

Tremendous work rate throughout the match, the Croatian continued to ask questions of the City defender. Scored a deserved goal. 7

AP

Manchester City 1 Juventus 2 player ratings

FROM THE BENCH: Paulo Dybala

Looked neat and tidy in his Champions League debut. A very promising young player, even if he didn't have too much an impact on this game. 6

Getty Images

"City is perhaps the best English team but the Champions League, it is something else.

"The Premier League is the most interesting championship to watch, but is tactically limited."

Evra's former club also lost 2-1, to PSV Eindhoven, after going a goal in front.

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