Player Ratings
Buffon – Was kept fairly busy, especially in the first half and late on in the second. Yet had no major saves to make, for he was in the right place at the right time to comfortably thwart the best efforts of our opponents. Composed and alert throughout. 7
Bonucci – Relatively quiet, yet stood firm to face a vibrant, effective offensive phalanx of players and slung a few quality balls forward. 6.5
A club legend…Kaiser Chiellini was a Titan against our hated enemy.
Chiellini – Outstanding performance from the reborn centurion in our ranks. He was ubiquitous at the back, full blooded in too many challenges to count, cunning with the officials and a natural born warrior and leader throughout the tie. This is the kind of game which brings out his best and he was simply indomitable, never offering the nerazzuri an inch. Crunching, marking, maiming, complete and total commitment in every single tackle, great pace, sensational reading of the game…A true masterclass of defending from start to finish. Close to perfect! 9
Lichsteiner – Fresh from signing a welcome extension to his contract, the Swiss locomotive held the flank down well, got forward to support the attack and used all his experience to avoid any space deep for Perisic and D’Ambrosio. Was angry to come off, yet it turns out Allegri thought he was injured! 7
Sandro – Showed some gorgeous touches on the ball, he can be superb in tight situations. Still yet to return to full sharpness but this was a gutsy showing from the Brazilian. He proved he is far more than merely an offensive talent. 7
Khedira – Perhaps his finest showing in our colours. Big Sami was immense on the night, constantly shifting between screening the defence and making inroads up top. Unlucky not to see his attacking endeavour lead to a goal. He is really coming into top form in this new formation and was one of the most technically potent players on a field littered with talent.8.5
Pjanic – Miralem is learning to scrap, to fight fang and claw in the middle of the park and to launch attacks from deep. He fared well enough and is finally showing some grit to augment his marvellous technique on the ball. 7
Cuadrado – Put in a couple of decent crosses, made some terrible decisions with the ball at his feet, was booked for an amusingly wretched hack and yet…his goal was world class. A strike worthy of winning any game at any level. Credit to the speedy fiend where it is due. I can forgive him everything when he produces a moment of magic such as this one, which even two keepers combined would have had no chance to save – (the dance at the end summed him up…a brilliant freak of the highest order…and my Colombian housemate tells me, which came as no surprise, that unlike the born with the silver spoon in the mouth Falcao, Juan comes from the same poverty stricken realm as none other than Asprilla…which explains why like Fausto, Juan often appears to still be playing on dirt or concrete with his mates after work!) 9
Dybala – Was unlucky with two great efforts in the first half, almost succeeded in supplying Higuain with an assist in the second and fought hard throughout, often dropping deep to give the defence an outlet. He continues to mature. And added a hug to the handshake when he came off for good measure. 7
Mandzukic – Came close with two headers, other than which his game was mainly defensive in the midfield. Used his strength intelligently, played many smart balls to on-running colleagues and kept running and fighting till the death. It will be interesting what happens when Pjaca appears and carves the opposition apart. One offers defensive zeal and decent offensive threat, the other huge potency in the final third. 7
Higuain – Once again showed his game is far more expansive than merely a top drawer finisher, by running between the lines, leading the attack, displaying great technique and invention when faced with numerous opponents blocking his way to goal. Came close in the second half to adding to his impressive tally for the season. 7.5
Make no mistake, Inter were in top form. They pushed us relentlessly in the opening 45 and came back strongly late on. They also created 5 presentable chances to our 9. Well organised, full of confidence and technically powerful. No team has managed to conjure as many chances against us of late. We knew they would come to Turin all guns blazing, and in the end we outgunned them and deserved our victory.
For some, myself included, this game means as much as any game will throughout the campaign. And I feel wonderful, for part of my heart is beating loudly and proudly and I will assuredly bore scores of people on the morrow, and make them watch not just Cuadrado’s goal, but also his dance as I try to mimic his alien moves on the impromptu dance floor. Juve are once again, bringing me so much joy. Thanks Max!
Slender as the scoreline may seem, we undoubtedly created the better of the chances, hit the bar twice and Handanovic was far the busier keeper. His saves from Higuain and Mandzukic late on were classy and kept the result respectable.
Of the two moments which Pioli referred to as penalties…
The first seemed a tussle (one of many) between Icardi and Chiellini and Lichsteiner pulling the shirt of a player who was pulling his shirt. The Inter players made no case to the referee, yet Pioli knows better eh!
The second appeared a risky but legitimate challenge by Mario which took the ball in the box.
Neither seemed anywhere close to a stone wall penalty in my eyes, or those of the ref and his fellow officials.
It was a very entertaining game, of arguably the top two sides of the league. As Allegri said during the post match press conference. We are lucky Inter had a slow start to the season, for they do look solid in every area of the field. No obvious weaknesses and boundless strength throughout. Pioli has done exceptional work since appearing at the helm in November. And whilst I deeply despise many of the Inter hierarchy, I am content to see them regain their mettle and become a formidable outfit. When they qualify for the champions league and strengthen in the Summer they will perhaps become our closest challengers for the 7th scudetto next term. Would be even more welcome if AC upped their game in turn.
We need games like this one. Which further cements the new system and equally importantly inspires the grinta from within the ranks. It is something which has been missing for much of the season, and perhaps part of the reason why – alongside the steady injury woes – is the lack of finding ourselves truly pushed, forced to react and to fight for victory.
I was impressed with both sides. The game was a startling spectacle throughout, with only the first twenty minutes of the second half showing one side fully in control. And as the match wore on the tackles became a touch more menacing yet Rizzoli stood fairly firm and offered both sides the same allowances.
At one stage with an hour gone we had a line of yellow cards across the field from left to right – Mandzukic, Khedira, Pjanic, Cuadrado – and I was roaring for Allegri to make some changes. Yet when they came, I was left shaking my head.
Claudio has barely played of late, Alves had been out for aeons and Rugani, the only match sharp player was brought on very late in the day. It was risky from Il Mister, and by my reckoning close to bizarre. Asamoah? Rincon? Sturaro? Pjaca? Why not bring on those presently up to speed to add impetus? Yet no…too obvious. too simple. Instead he decided to throw two players into the deep end who were at best rusty. Neither impressed.
Overall it was a hard fought, well merited victory. Which could well provide added wind in our sails, as we approach now three eminently winnable games before the Porto tie.
The highlight of the game for me personally was Chiellini positioning himself for a throw late on, directly next to Pioli, the Inter chief complaining of time wasting, whilst Giorgio placed him as the reason why time was been wasted, with a mocking smile and shrug of those broad shoulders. Comedy at its finest.
We must surely now be growing in confidence. Just as the squad as a whole is moving for the first time this campaign towards full availability. Everything appears to be falling into place. And I see no reason whatsoever to ponder changing the system for Porto. We have nothing to fear of any side and are improving week on week.
A job very well done indeed by Allegri and the lads. And I thank Juan for a wondrous gift for my 38th birthday tomorrow. The haphazard Colombian has made me this happy…
Forza Juve.
(follow me on twitter here)
Completely agree with the analysis; it was a great game, worth watching. The crowd was so loud, you could hardly hear the ref anymore!
Chiellini was a BEAST, definitely man of the match for me. No obvious flaws anywhere on the pitch, we did well on all fronts. Dybala, Higuain, Pjanic and Mandzukic all had good chances on the goal, Handanovic unfortunately saved most of it, with the bar helping out once or twice as well. The penalty calls were rubbish. Hope to see Perisic and Icardi receive a ban too, they were all over Rizzoli for nothing at the final whistle.
This game would be a great commercial for Serie A football though, especially the first half.
In the latter stages, you could see Juve sat back and soaked up the pressure, which worried me a bit, it was only 1-0 and Inter had good chances. But all well that ends well!
Agreed on all points, mate! We have no obvious flaws. And yes yes indeed! It was a great advert for a resurgent Serie A. I wish it didn’t involve so much foreign investment, but never mind. A strong Serie A makes a stronger Juve.
Great analysis of the most thrilling match in recent times.
I cherish your last comment about Chiellini, for I was also laughing at this point.
The wait has been long but wort it, if Allegri can make our team grow even more in this new system. I am so excited to see our Juventus in such an un-Italian attacking formation and hopefully we can soon copy Napoli and Lazio’s victories from this weekend = utilize our goal chances.
It seems to me that every player is growing in this new system, even though some players are growing odd skills. Dybala as an example is getting more tough and hair on his chest, which will surely benefit him in his career.
As a Juventino I can wait to see what will happen to our team in the coming months.
Forza Juve
I suspect we might find problems with Dybala. And wonder of who is guiding him…for there will be huge interest in his services this Summer and every window thereafter. Only the one brief hint of petulance so far, which is fine and nothing to worry about, yet we can never know who is in his ear in the shadows…
Still, the club is smart enough to deal with him as we deal with any player who agitates for a move. I doubt he has any interest in the huge money on offer in the PL, though suspect Barca and Real could well entice him. We will get good money for him whenever he leaves. At least double our investment.
Very accurate ratings throughout. A couple of quick points:
– I might be somewhat fine with Inter coming back to elite level, on the other side I hope Milan take a long long sleep before they can get near to challenge for the top in italy and Europe. Actually I hope those Milan siblings take a long sleep, give chance to Roma Napoli and Fiorentina to take challenger spots. Milanistas get grandieur delusions out of with success.
– Another point: Had we had this level on grinta against Barcelona we would have trumped their talent and gotten away with that UCL. Had we had this level of grinta the last 2 UCL campaigns our output would have been so much higher this is a lesson us Juventus must learn for life if we ever want to be succesful in Europe.
Grinta can trump flashy spanish, german, or english styles any day no matter how much quality or even luck they have. If we Juve have both grinta and quality we can become nearly invincible.
Final note: The legionaire reference to giorgio scores a 10. To me us Juve, each and everyone who is aprt of Juve must be a legionaire. To me that is the quintessential, a true symbol, and true example of the Italian way, and I think Juve are heirs and at this point sole bearers of the Italian banner both in Italy and Europe. That responsibility is in our backs and we must deliver. Place Italy and the Italian way where it belongs, in a place of respect, and of success.
Gli azzurri doesn´t have 4 stars by sheer luck does it? The glory achieved by the azzurri is founded in true Italian warriors. I hope besides all tactical nuances every foreigner who is invested in black and white colors is taught about this responsibility from day one.
Many thanks indeed, Seb! I will return here after work to add some discussion…D
Very well put, Seb! Perhaps we have both changed in some way, our outlook become more expansive in recent weeks!
And I concur completely. The finest Italian and Juve squads I have witnessed have succeeded on grinta more aligned with technique. This is one of the reasons why England falters over and over again, for other than in 98, where we had some talent and a great spirit, and in 96 with Venables in charge where we had little talent but wonderful spirit, the outings have been unbalanced. I do consider England my team as much as Italy…As odd as that may seem. Yet I have grown up as an englishman, with the people, my friends included, responsible for pushing me to support my own tribe. Which I was happy to do, yet still I support England. Yet when they play Italy. I am with gli azzurri! And still love this piece of class…one of the reasons why is that most my mates from back home thought of me when he scored it and cringed…it wasnt just ‘fucking pirlo’, it was a secondary thought of ‘fucking pennuto…he will be loving this, the spic cunt’.hohoohoho and they were correct.
quarter final of the EUROs 2012…and this kick mattered hugely…it smacked of class, technique, arrogance…the latter of which seems to be found in the sicilian on my own crimson rivers!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXFWmpB-cPQ
The one team who plays with grinta and top drawer technique is Bayern Munich. That should be our model and level to aspire towards. They do not just beat teams with quality, they beat them with spirit.
Seb! You asked of which players I would like to see us break the bank for to bring to the club…
Very interesting question, and one I may write a piece for…I am so busy these days, have found myself writing a match report for every game and keeping account of the youth sector, which precludes my favourite area, which is more analytical, with no on field action to cover, and a wider scope to discuss and encourage debate on other matters…
Yet for now…
I watch more premier league football than any other. I follow the Serie A show, partly as I adore the italian elf presenting, yet the footage is poor, often incredibly awful camera angles for goals!
Kante is the strongest midfielder in the premier league. His work rate, passing, concentration, composure, stamina and heart are world class. He is as much a reason for Chelsea’s resurgence this season as Conte imbuing belief in the squad.
It is telling that Leicester have suffered hugely without him. And we simply do not have a midfielder of the same calibre, a player who goes about his business often unnoticed, yet wins many challenges, never gives the opponents a break and tackles and passes simply to a world class level. Yes I would like to see Kante in black and white.
I also like Coutinho, yet he is a little flimsy and could be muscled off the ball by proper defenders, which are rarely found in england. Eriksen is still also young though tends to have periods where he drifts in an out of games. Neither are better than what we have presently.
This would not break the bank, but it would give us certainty on both flanks at LB and RB…Mattia De Sciglio. I would be fine with us paying over the odds for him, maybe 20-25m. Yet it seems unlikely AC will sell him to us.
Neymar is a monster, though he wont come to Juve and I do not like his face…so forget him, from the top recognised elite.
Of the forwards on the premier league…I would happily see us plump 40m for Lukaku. He is slowly improving under Koeman, the first decent coach he has had. And has every natural talent as a forward in spades. Finally learning to use both feet and bring others into play. Still young enough to improve further.
Other than which…I see no better defenders, no obviously superior players to Khedira or Pjanic, just have some reservations on Mandzukic in the LM role of the present system. Yet we have Pjaca to come in also there.
Lukaku would be brilliant, yet we have Higuain, so forget that. For now.
The rest of the team is strong enough to challenge at the top level…so I would say presently…without watching la liga that often…bring in Kante and De Sciglio. That is all.
We have no issues creating chances. We do have problems elsewhere on occasion. Much of which is mentality.
And what of your own considerations, Seb?
Cant wait for the champions league!!!!!!
Btw happy birthday
Cheers, fella!
Icardi and Perisic, both recieved 2 match ban.
Seems a bit harsh pm Perisic…yet abusing the ref is an offence in the game. We were pretty much demoted, stripped of titles and shamed as cheats for sporting crimes on par with abusing officials. As for Icardi, he is a talented idiot. No class whatsoever.
It looks like Perisic told something pretty bad to Rizzolli so i understand his ban. Icardi as you say, very very talented player but brainwashed totaly, well ,what do you expect from Inter player lol