Juventus started the season in comfortable fashion, brushing aside a plucky Cagliari side to win 3-0 with goals from Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain.
Player Ratings
Gianluigi Buffon: When you see San Gigi making a crucial save at 1-0 up before keeping out a penalty with a fantastic stop, the reality of his final season in the Bianconeri suddenly hits home. It will inevitably take some time to adjust to not having Leo Bonucci around and in the short term and I fear the defence will obviously bear the brunt of the change….but thankfully Gigi remains the best at what he does. Immense from start to finish 8.5/10
Stephan Lichtsteiner: Good in the opening half, keeping Capuano in check and linking well enough with Cuadrado to provide some threat down the right-flank. Set up the opening goal superbly with a great floated cross into the box for Mandzukic to slot home. Faded out of the game as it progressed and was caught out by Cop on a few occasions, but solid overall. 6/10
Daniele Rugani: Great positioning from the start, a good reading of the game, making some valuable interceptions and keeping the Cagliari attack in check. Imperative that he starts more often as he’s an upgrade on Benatia and a defender who is in need of the opportunity to play well and make mistakes. 6.5/10
Giorgio Chiellini: Strong in the tackle, some wayward clearances here and there, but he looked better than in the Supercoppa. Seems a better player when Rugani is beside him. Solid. 6.5/10
Alex Sandro: Definitely grew into the game as it progressed, some great overlapping with Mandzukic and some smart passes and crosses. Played a part in Juve’s third goal during a beautiful build up where he provided the assist for Higuain. 6.5/10
Claudio Marchisio: Controlled things perfectly in the centre of the pitch – Nothing spectacular, just control and composure right up until he was subbed off for Khedira. When fit, he should be starting every game possible. He reads the game far better than he’s given credit for and kept the team ticking over. Engine. 6.5/10
Miralem Pjanic: Grew in stature as he was able to dictate the game more from midfield. Great range of passing including a truly majestic cross for Dybala’s goal – Impressive. 7.0/10
Juan Cuadrado: He’s a divisive play at the best of times, veering between some moments of brilliance and giving the ball away time and time again, falling over and calling for a foul. Showed little at all and was substituted by Douglas Costa. Frustrating. 5.0/10
Paulo Dybala: Ran the show from deep, making great runs out to the flanks to pull players with him, pinging pinpoint crosses left and right before making a perfectly timed run to get Juve’s second with a clinical finish. A joy. 8.0/10
Mario Mandzukic: Strong runs, good tracking back, cut in well when he found the opportunity and took the opening goal well. Still feel he’s wasted on the flanks as he’s a goal-scorer at heart. 6.5/10
Gonzalo Higuain: Quiet for much of the game, and that was largely down to him getting little accurate service from either flank…..but given even a glimpse at goal, he was able to bury his chance in typical Pipita fashion. Should come on a lot more for the inclusion of Costa and Bernardeschi. 6.5/10
Substitutes
Sami Khedira: Much improved from the horror showing in the SuperCoppa – Fast and accurate passing and some well timed runs. Better. 6.5/10
Blaise Matuidi: Solid debut and some encouraging signs – The lad has an engine on him, running end to end, or box-to-box if you like, showing some glimpses of what we can expect. Impressive. 6.0/10
Douglas Costa: A bright cameo, running down the right and taking on his defender before offering some clever runs. Should have started in place of Cuadrado. 6.0/10
Thank god, Rugani played!!
Yeh, that was really nice to see. I hope this means that he will play more regulary from now on.
I couldn’t quite figure out what went through Allegris head when he made those substitutions? Taking out Marchisio and replacing him with Khedira? Pairing him with Pjanic, yet again. I thought that a fit Marchisio and the signing of Matuidi would put a stop to that. I think we should try to sell Khedira. I don’t really see him finding a place if we are truly going for a 4-2-3-1, with a solid DM. I know it seems harsh, but I honestly don’t see him finding a place in the starting eleven.
Then he substituted Higuain for Matuidi, who had just scored his first goal. He clearly wasn’t happy about that, and I understand him. He is our top striker, always wants to play and in the end of season wants to be the top scorer in the league. I just found that substitution strange.
Douglas Costa got some time to play sure, but he should have been brought in earlier, as should Bernardeschi. Sure it takes time, but we need to play the new guys and let them get to know the pillars of this team.
Overall a solid win.
Good Win for juve, as of for Allergis substitutes I think it was a strange but a good call. He try to do new things which honestly confuse not only the opponents but almost all the juventini. He is trying new concepts and strategies and I believe he is preparing another masterpiece.
He is trying to mix all the midfield and maximize all the talents at the right places. Matuidi comes in and control up the midfield. He ran and make short passes quick enough.
Allegri choice to bring in kheidira was smart , he played his role nicely as he is more offensive and ease up the midfield more dynamic and spot on. This is a great tactic as more the defenders was focusing more to dybala and pjanic to control up the game.
Honestly I see bright future in the midfield and I wonder we can see Kheidira, Matuidi, Marchisio and Pjanic at the same time on a game and I bet it would be really classy.
For Costa and Bernardeschi it just a matter of time to see them bringing the game to the next level.
It’s all positive and a good win. Thousands of area we can improve and be better. Thanks to all the players and the manager for the hard work.
Just a small reminder with a big hope to Mr.Allegri to maximize the talent of Kean. He is an amazing young boy.
Forza Juve
Agreed. It’s mind boggling how Cuadrado is still starting over the 2 new wingers.
Sorry Mate,your response was in spam.
Dont know what to think of Garay….
The Khedira thing I dont get it. It still gives us depth.
Matuidi, I think it will be a fight with him and Marchi.
Costa and Berna are so much ahead of that twat cua. Am I the only one who think s that he is very often to slowly pushing forward,especially counterattacks..
So all eyes one Thursday,imagine Buffon made it.
I thought Alex Sandro was the best player on the pitch. I know dybala had a great game but I actually think Sandro is irreplaceable.
They’re both irreplaceable imo.
I thought it was possibly the most subdued I have seen him, in that first half! Livened up in the second. For me, he was our most consistent performer last season, with his quality rarely ever dropping. Superb signing, and glad he turned his back on the riches on offer in the PL.
Buffon will sorely be missed, that penalty save he made gave me a sense of nostalgia…please Juve let’s get this Scudetto and CL trophy for the cherry on top of Gigi’s highly decorated career! Finish his career on a high note
Fair ratings, Chief!
I was ever so pleased to catch the game, after a bothersome few days of my travels…and decided – as you know – to dive deep into the smirnof to celebrate a turn in fortune. And it has taken a day now to recover. Yet the game was enjoyable. The centre is stronger with Marchisio, yet Pjanic stayed so deep which drew Dybala deeper and left poor Higuain up against 2-4 opponents for the most.
Miralem was however, superb…
The simple fact of attacks down our right side is CUadrado. His defensive input is often zero. Players even stroll by him, and this gives whoever plays at RB a tough task, for they are often put into poor situations.
The other side you see Mandzukic who very much gets involved with the defensive side of the game, and Sandro has an easier time, and the chance to get forward a lot. Whilst Juan is anywhere near the first XI, we will continue to have this problem.
Was impressed with Stephan, he looked in good shape. Also Rugani, again…no errors. Other than one slightly over-hit pass back that led no more trauma than a throw.
Not sure how happy Khedira is going to be playing from the bench more often, but its for the best of the team. Clearly. Also will be interesting to see if Max does try the 3 in midfield. Matuidi is fine in a CML role, more natural, and it would also give Rodrigo more chance to play!
Santo Buffon…if he has another season performing splendidly throughout, will he stay on a year?
Learn the mechanics were going to turn to a 433 formation. Let the dances begin we ll gonna have fun. Still Seeing our DC on the bench have you seen the perfect crossing passing pace. He should be one of that 3 on the front.