Player Ratings
Buffon – Superb and faultless. Santo Buffon was in special form, making two top drawer saves, distributing the ball calmly and intelligently and organising his defence to perfection. The greatest keeper of all time remains a living legend. 10
Bonucci – Stuck to his task with maturity, won many aerial balls flung into the box and produced a stunning block late on to keep Moutinho at bay. 8
Chiellini – Other than the one error, when he failed to control the ball in the box, Kaiser Giorgio was formidable. Whilst it earned a worrisome booking, I smiled at the blind elbow on Falcao, who he had earlier laughed with after the Colombian nudged the big fella over the hoardings! Was the elbow witting? Impossible to say…cunning old pro!7
Sandro – Forced to defend for much of the game yet flooded forward to support the attack on occasion and made some useful blocks. 7
Barzagli – An interesting choice which Allegri explained as requiring greater strength in the air to deal with the countless high balls which Monaco deploy. Those old legs moved fast enough and the decision was proven great tactical guile from the boss. 7
Marchisio – Screened the defence with aplomb, affording very few openings for our foes to seek lift-off in the final third. Could and should have done better when stealing the ball high up the field and seeing his shot fly straight at the keeper. 7
Pjanic – At times sublime on the ball, his quick thinking and reading of the game can be truly masterful, yet almost gifted a chance when playing a loose ball across his own box. Still so much more to come from the Bosnian. 7
Mandzukic – Definitely more of a defensive posture was adopted by the giant Croat, as he made up the numbers both in midfield and defence. Tireless work rate and always offering an outlet, he was harried, given little time on the ball and failed to make an impact beyond the half way line. 6
Alves – Two beautiful assists, countless hustles, outstanding stamina! His finest outing in our colours, just when it mattered most. The technique employed was classy throughout and he proved he can provide a very different kind of flair and attacking thrust in Cuadrado’s wide right role. Was unlucky not to grab a hatrick of assists and his link-up play with Dybala and Higuain was a joy to behold. 9.5
Dybala – He is growing, and his potential remains staggering to ponder. This was a mature, measured performance, and he played a pivotal role in both goals. Forcing the error for the second and producing a gorgeous back heel flick to continue the move for the opener. 8
Higuain – Appeared sluggish and off the pace early doors, yet proved his calibre with two immensely well taken and important goals to turn the tie in our favour. Could have done better when hooking the ball across goal rather in the damn net, yet I can forgive him that one error of judgement! 8
Monaco lived up to their billing. For other than the first ten minutes when we were totally dominant, they gained confidence and created a handful of decent chances. Fortunately Buffon and the defence were able to thwart them on the three occasions they went close. I enjoyed their tenacity, the eagerness to move the ball around at pace with threats appearing from all over the field. However, they came up against a side of experience and stronger technique. Yet can hold their heads up high, and I believe that the tie is not yet won. They will create opportunities in Turin, and we will need to be strident, composed and robust to keep another clean sheet against a wonderfully entertaining side brimming with youthful exuberance and talent.
As much as the game as a spectacle proved wholesome and gripping, I was also pleased to see two sides at this level of the premier competition globally of club football behaving in a proper manner on the pitch. The absence of diving, rolling over needlessly and trying to make decisions for the referee was welcome and appreciated. We can expect nothing of such sportsmanship if we qualify to face Real.
We were not at our best. Though deserved the victory as Allegri got his tactics spot on, resulting in an extension to our immensely impressive run of clean sheets which in Europe now extends well beyond 10 hours of football.
The opening goal was as good a counter attack as you will find at any level and was so perfect and rapid in creation, team work and execution that it deserved to win any game, against any opponent. Simply unstoppable. And beautiful.
I did feel that we missed Big Sami. His nous to some degree yet also his physicality, for his reading of the game is such a powerful weapon in our arsenal and often goes unheralded. I also believe that Pjanic is happier alongside him, with Il Principino still working his way back to consistency in tough games such as this one.
The bookings were a minor negative. For whilst Marchisio will likely sit out the return fixture, we will be depending on Chiellini and Bonucci, with one wrong step or tactical foul enough to end their dreams and diminish our chances in turn of charging to victory in the final. They will both be targeted by Jardim. Will Max bring in Benatia? Revert to the 4-2-3-1 (which we played when on the offensive) with the Swiss locomotive behind Cuadrado or Alves and Barzagli appearing in his more natural CB role? Likely a half measure of this option will be chosen.
(NB – Uefa changed the rules in 2014 with an amnesty of accumulated yellow cards wiped clean for the semis. As it requires three yellow cards for a CL suspension, Bonucci and Chiellini appear fine to play the next leg, just avoid a damn red!)
Some will baulk at my suggestion that this was merely an average showing. I saw no masterclass, as has been mentioned elsewhere by others, moreover an extremely well drilled side in which every player knew exactly what was expected of them, and also, what to expect of our opponents. Such are the high hopes for our potential as a side to be truly realised, I was bothered by the three solid chances we conceded. Yet perhaps this is somewhat harsh. Given the startlingly brilliant longstanding form of the home side.
As with Barca, I left the games feeling we had matched our opponents, and found ourselves tactically superior when it mattered, and clinical. Rather than seeing us as world beaters.
Which is not intended to take anything away from what is from every angle a superb result. I simply know we can play better, and are still prone to the odd mistake too close to our own area for comfort.
Other than the two errors which could well have been punished, my main concern is the absence of attacking alternatives to bring on from the bench if required. I can but hope and pray that Dybala and above all others Higuain remain fit. For neither of these players can be replaced with anything near the same quality. Yet this is a matter to be addressed in the Summer. Until which, we have only Mandzukic able to play as the CF who has nowhere near the mobility or passing and shooting efficiency of Gonzalo. Cuadrado or Pjanic could come in for Dybala, but again, neither provide the same expansive threat.
Essentially, we have done everything asked of us. Allegri has conditioned the squad amazingly well, finding our form and fitness peaking at just the right time.
The tie, for many, is already won. Though even considering our own indomitable home record I am not yet assured, solely more confident, of reaching the final.
What is now beyond any doubt is that we have returned to prove ourselves worthy of consideration as part of the elite. I cannot recall a team as defensively resolute since La Nazionale on their wondrous 2006 world cup victory march. As I recall Vialli offering, with a smile, prior to that tournament…
“if there is one thing that Italy are masters of, it is defending…”
I have regained pride in our club, for from the top down, everyone comports themselves professionally and with confidence and belief befitting the storied history of the institution that is our beloved Juve.
A composed, hard fought, deserved victory…
forza juve
TGP
(you can follow me on twitter here)
Great analysis, the ratings are little bit over the top, but I guess it’s normal to be in the clouds right now 😉 (Schick and Keita) 2 great signings for next year would be superb! Youngsters who are willing to learn from the great ones! Please no anelka – bendtner dudes!
Chiellini’s sneaky elbow comment is bang on the money though 🙂
I cannot see any need for Keita…Spinazzola can come in on the left. Alves might leave, especially if we win the CL, and I hope De Sciglio comes in. Would then also need an alternative at RW/RM. Sami might also head off. Much depends on the CL. If we win I expect to see Sami, Alves..perhaps even Allegri head off. Could be a surprise also…Big Leo has many suitors, and all the top sides will be eager to take any opening of plucking Chiellini, even at his ripe age. Those two remain the strongest CB pairing in the world. Doubt Giorgio would ever leave though.
Tolisso, De Sciglio, Schick, Meret and a trequartista to play apprentice to Dybala. Our CL revenue alone will more than cover our summer expenditure.
why do you want De Sciglio???? he is an Average Nobody, i see absolutely no need for him, the FB’s we should really be signing are between: Mendy, Cancelo, and Trent Alexander Arnold – Theo Hernandez, Bellerin… you know the bright future, not some nobody approaching his mid 20’s who was once a great prospect almost half a decade ago. This is where Juventus new found Nationalism hurts, there is absolutely no reason to sign someone so average as De Sciglio. There are far better players out there even amongst fellow average players. I rather we gamble on youth, than on an unlikely resurrection, de sciglio was never eye catching even back then, he was ok, but he was never “wow this kid is the future”
Nothing to do with money…everything to do with winning everything he could win at Juve, then moving to try a different culture. England has a rich and diverse culture, and if you earn well, it can be a superb and nourishing place to live, so much history, the rivers of life gushing and manic. Part of the reason Pogba moved was to be amongst a culture where he could be a star of the hip youth crowds, the glamour, the bling, the music, the events…markedly different to Turin and Italy as a whole.
Failed to find a response to your eagerness for millions more dead in the name of the good ol’ U S of A elsewhere…
Time and again you write of players here in such a bizarre manner it seems as if you pick them at random from a website or Football Manager, or other forums.
For example you talk about Nationalism, yet 3 of our ideal starting 11 are italian. And in recent times we have signed Higuain, Dybala, Khedira, Cuadrado, Alves, Rincon, Pjaca, Benatia…with investment in Caldara, Orsonlini, Sensi. You consistently spout nonsense.
If you had any understanding of the club, its history, its culture, and its relation with la Nazionale, you would understand that the club has a history of focusing on an italian core and providing the backbone of the national side. this is the way it ought to be in any league which is well run as an institution and club by club. The Italian identity is important to the club, for the real fans and for the Agnelli bloodline.
You have suggested defenders from mid table spanish sides, a league notorious for poor defending. A liverpool youth player with barely a first team appearance under his belt. And an admittedly lively attacking fullback from the Gooners whose defensive nous is on par with de ceglie…
If you prefer simply a team of mercenaries with no love of the badge, no connexion to the culture of the land, kindly head off and offer just such a side your ‘support’…
“Pick players at random from a website or football Manager? ” – No i actually just speak on what I see, and speak precisely on that glam culture. of which DeCiglio does not belong, in terms of stardom…or even in football terms, I fail to see your eagerness in signing such an Average Joe(in footballing terms).
Also i dont know what Football manager is, it appears like a game of sorts from what i hear. I don’t pick players from forums or Websites. Lol I can only speculate what you are trying to tell me here, But let’s just say you have lost Validity when you Compared Shick to Mbappe, and said Mbappe was someone with something to prove, while Schick was a more Proven asset….Now who writes erratically? nonetheless the “bizzare manner” is just a style of writing i have, one that conveys a reaction and spikes blood levels, Needless to say i fail how you find “bizzare” that DeSciglio is such an average nobody, I actually find “Bizzare” that he is even considered to be amongst our ranks, to tell you the truth. Every defender i mention is FAR FAR BETTER in their current state, never mind should they grow under us with our great mentors.
I didn’t start the comment on Nationalism, just agreed with it, and if you have something to input about that, do it in that thread where it would be congruent not in this one where it is out of order. This is also particularly relevant since you are using some of what i said out of context. It is as if you didn’t even read it, just briefly skimmed it.
” If you had any understanding of the club, its history, its culture, and its relation with la Nazionale,”
– well gee comrade thanks for the history lesson, I am only a new fan who has been following the club vaguely since “06” forgive me if i don’t know about stuff from the past, nor it’s effect for the Azzuri, as i have no living Italian relatives to nurture my Juve fandom. But luckily you are nice enough to do it in such a polite well meant manner XD LOL, well hey next time you have writers block…You know what to write about, Ehh!?
“You have suggested defenders from mid table Spanish sides, a league
notorious for poor defending. A Liverpool youth player with barely a
first team appearance under his belt. And an admittedly lively attacking
fullback from the Gooners whose defensive nous is on par with de
ceglie…”
– That has to be the most ignorant gargon I’ve ever seen you write, I may have offended DeSciglio in trying to make a point, but you just went full retard there, You obviously Haven’t seen any of them play, Where you are more justified is for Bellerin, However if you believe in the resurrection of DeSciglio i fail to see how the Nurturing of Bellerin is a stretch of the imagination for you. Also FYI TAA has had Plenty of first team action and Shines EVERY TIME! Shame he is with Liverpool where he is the only defender worth anything. and likley will be fore sometime, now with Lovren’s contract extension, and VVD likely ending up with Chelsea.
“If you prefer simply a team of mercenaries with no love of the badge, no
connexion to the culture of the land, kindly head off and offer just
such a side your ‘support’…”
– You lost me there, dont get carried away and write nothing all while making it sound fancy.
*Concerning our Red,White and Blue talk, it is clear you are Propaganda filled, I fail to see how NK remains innocent in your eyes, But c’est la vie; I’m still looking into some events you provided, Dont worry about a thing i will eventually Reply to that when ready, I am not about to drop my life to play keyboard warrior with you. It will be when i have nothing better to do, that i will look into your claims, to provide a full response to your senselessness (in some areas)
* also what are your views regarding the french election? who are you rooting for? I just am interested in what someone with a mind as yours thinks
I will ignore the dross and as I am studying the debate of a night or so back with sinking heart yet no surprise I will respond to that.
Basically if you are anti capitalist, anti globalist, anti EU, anti unchecked mass immigration, anti-elite, pro-workers rights, pro-sovereignty you would be enjoying Le Pen. That is the reality of the policy differences. Yet she was wretched in the debate, now will lose easily 2:1, if not somewhere close. Yet she has doubled the share of her NF crowd and they will gain some power and a slither of legitimacy they had never had before in the gallic psyche as a whole.
Macron is a Rothschild banker, a golden boy of the elite and pretty much another stooge of the zionist lobby like every US president. He is a slick, arrogant, very well connected fiend who appears to have some odd mother issues. He has won the election, before the votes have even been cast…
Marine had to much baggage from her appalling father, yet essentially the french have been guided and herded in mistaking a capitalist with an moral stance, when they do not understand that capitalism creates and nourishes racism.
I have to ask: Do you believe in the NWO(New World Order) ???
I studied the NWO a few years back and had concluded that it was nothing more than Judeo- Christian Propaganda to convert the Masses; However following up on some events and some figures: Rothchild, Soros, Koch brothers, etc… It does leave one to think that there is something fishy going on, and definitively secret cabals influencing the US. So i give the Christians some credit, but i still conclude that the NWO is Bullshit, something similar may exist. I do fear the UN aside from them being Utterly Useless, They do hold just as much if not more influence than the US, and maybe even more than the US. It’s truly a shame Trump didn’t stick with his de-funding promise. What do you think?
also in the other post of the original parle, you had mentioned something about the US controlling the UN ???? if anything i think it is the other way around, especially with that spineless prick we had in office for the previous 8 years
also how in the hell does Capitalism nourish racism? That makes no sense to me, I was following well until then. that is where you lost me.
Also correct me if i am wrong but judging from what I can read in your views….you hate a guy like Nietzsche right???
“I will ignore the dross and as I am studying the debate of a night or so
back with sinking heart yet no surprise I will respond to that”
– Well thank you, as much as it may not appear at times with my often aggressive tones, I do enjoy our chats and your insights… especially since they are so “Different”. I’ve had thousands of Facebook debates, and quite plenty of Trolling for fun; but I have never heard ideas such as yours get thrown out by anybody, on any side of the spectrum.
Considering you find my views obscure confirms to me that you follow hook, line and sinker one aspect of the MSM mantra.
this is also confirmed by your repeated assumption that the US President is anything but a spokesman. Not since JFK has there been a President of the US (not the free world, that is yet more spastic hype which only the happily blinded buy into) who has spoken with any individual integrity or sincerity. And look how well that went…
Obama, Bush, Trump…they are not leaders. they make no decisions. they are given scripts to read, decisions are made in their name.
Capitalism nourishes racism by rewarding those who own the resources, who decide upon education, wellfare, social investment, foreign policy, banking, to hugely improve their share and legally remove more capacity for the resources to be fairly shared, thus the poor get poorer the rich get richer. Since slave times, so let us include a feudal system, which was not just the US, this capitalist system has been a natural successor. Capitalism rewards those already close to power or born into power, by which I mean money first and foremost. Altruism and solidarity do not fit with capitalism. They are diametrically opposed…Malcolm X made some useful comments on this, yet that is not where my view has come from. It is patently obvious. The rich get richer the poor get poorer. Only socialism models have managed to make any serious attempt at spreading the wealth more evenly and the US has attacked and destroyed these systems with impunity…former yugoslavia…and venezuala…in recent times. Not sure how my chum Morales is getting on in Bolivia these days. My focus has been blinkered on the Middle East and Russia for much of the last 12 months or so.
I suggested some news sources to try for a week or two, early 2015. The sources have no obvious link to any obvious Money agenda. the reports come from a wide variety of non partisan independent journalists. the news appears always logical, built on facts not bluster and conjecture.
Contrast that with the MSM offerings. Which is paid for, by the same zionist run machine you seem loosely aware of. They own the US media and beyond.
As for the UN running the US…you must have missed the scores of Un resolutions against Israel’s slow genocide of Palestine? You must have missed the invasion of iraq, afghanistan, destruction of libya, supported rise of neo nazis in Ukraine, destruction of Yemen, constant build up of US forces on Russian borders and in the south pacific…all of which the UN has squealed against on many occasions. and the US just shrugs its shoulders and does as it pleases. Any long term observer of the UN knows damn well it has zero power over the US and Israel and the UK, they all do as they please…as their vassals do as they are told in turn.
Anyway, kindly peek at these news sources for a week. Most people who are so invested in the lies served up on a plate day after day that they simply cannot see beyond them, and reject any opposing view as tin-hat conspiracy…even when it makes perfect sense. And so, if you glean this opinion, it is what I already assume of you, gerald. Precisely because your views come straight out of the MSM mantra book, which has been proven, owned by the worst criminal pigfuckers on the planet and constantly spouting deceit, which people swallow spoon after spoon, asking for second helpings, whilst roaring U S A! U S A! the shit dripping down their faces…with pride!
https://thedissolutefox.com/seeking-the-truth/
“Considering you find my views obscure confirms to me that you follow hook, line and sinker one aspect of the MSM mantra.”
– Same can be said about you buddy, you seem to find appalling the amount of casualties the US is responsible for around the world, yet you love a guy like Putin, Defend the Likes of Kim Jung-Un and it appears to be that you are a socialist. Like being religious, Socialism takes a great deal of brainwashing, to believe it actually works and has place in our world is just beyond foolish. Idk About europe but here in the US the Left has a grip on most media, and socialism is what is being shoved into the masses, if anything MSM is on your side.
“Capitalism nourishes racism by rewarding those who own the resources,
who decide upon education, wellfare, social investment, foreign policy,
banking, to hugely improve their share and legally remove more capacity
for the resources to be fairly shared, thus the poor get poorer the rich
get richer. Since slave times, so let us include a feudal system, which
was not just the US, this capitalist system has been a natural
successor. Capitalism rewards those already close to power or born into
power, by which I mean money first and foremost. Altruism and solidarity
do not fit with capitalism.”
– You don’t know what capitalism is, you are describing Corporatism THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE. This where you appear to be Brainwashed….Altruism? Lol pass the weed hippy! there is no such thing as Altruism, It doesn’t exist, it is a Fantasy of pretentious proportions,, Even when you get nothing in return There is always that high one gets from helping his fellow man, and often time there is ulterior motive, despite if that person is aware of it or not.
You filed to connect “Capitalism”, even Corporatism (Wich you are talking about) to racism. What you drivel on about has no connection to Racism in the slightest.
“The rich get richer the poor get poorer.”
– Yea it’s called Education, Idk about where you are from but here in the US it is possible to go from Rags to Riches, All that is required is financial Literacy, from those not to stupid or not to lazy to do the work. The Poor can get Richer to, The US is testament to that.
“Any long term observer of the UN knows damn well it has zero power over
the US and Israel and the UK, they all do as they please…as their
vassals do as they are told in turn.”
– Good! just as it should be! the UN is a money hungry USELESS organization, that has far outlived its purpose. I said that because the UN has many times wanted to impose laws on the US (The latest being gun control) and under Obama the UN was very close to succeeding
” Only socialism models have managed to make any serious attempt at
spreading the wealth more evenly and the US has attacked and destroyed
these systems with impunity.”
– LMFAO!!! oh man this is some funny stuff! where you drinking when writing this? only a fool believes Socialism is Plausible, it has been tried and failed horribly, What can one expect from an incompetent fool like Marx.But hey how come all socialist countries have dictators? how come countries where socialism is prevalent, are the country’s that are Human rights worse offenders???? Why are people on socialist states the ones who suffer from Poverty?
Despite the obvious Logical, historical problems and Brutal history of Communism/Socialism; There is EVOLUTIONARY NATURE. Socialism feeds on Incompetency, Laziness, conformist natures’ That is a big no no in our journey to becoming the alpha species and surviving out in the wilderness for as long as we did. Socialism is oppression! Only the weak enjoy socialism as they are often times incompetent and lazy people who are it’s biggest advocates. So not just is their Logical problems with Socialism there is also Evolutionary problems in that, It is not in our nature! as A species we have survived on greed, don’t take my word for it read some Darwin, read some Dawkins.
I will keep this short as it is getting beyond my interest levels.
You condemned Obama as a mulism lover, yet he was your President who decided to bomb 7 muslim countries during his tenure.
You were itching to see North Korea bombed who have attacked no country since the Korean civil war more than 60 years ago.
You suggest that to attack the US policy of attacking country after country, deposing government after government, without any doubt spearheading the most consistent war machine the planet has ever known, is the same as defending Putin. Yet russia, under Putin, have attacked no other countries during his tenure. I suppose you could look at South Ossetia in a warped way, and Chechnya, yet the latter is a complicated affair and very much a response to CIA takfiri mentalists ripping up Chechnya and bombing hundreds in Russia. The former was a response to a military invasion again supported by the West, namely the US.
There are no facts to confirm anything you argue.
I personally like systems and countries who raise the living standards in general for their people and do less harm to other countries in the world. You can label this as you please. It will not change such a view. And in turn, I despise countries who destroy other countries whilst ever more expanding the disparity between rich and poor in their own countries.
Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, Somalia, Afghanistan…all savaged by the US. These are facts, not conjecture.
The death count of the US government since WW2 is staggering, as is the number of countries they have attacked, directly or indirectly. These are again facts. You praise this, I despise this. Hence, we are not going to achieve anything through more tit for tat words on a screen.
To be honest, Juve is not known by the opportunities offering to their own youngsters, Dybala, Pogba, are supertalents and in Dybala’s case costed a lot. If you look at Rugani, a great talent in my eyes, it hurts to see Barzagli playing and Rugani benched. So maybe Spinazzola is a great talent, I never saw him play, but I guess he will like all other talents be send out to other teams and later to be sold on one day as leverage to wheel in another great talent. Immobile, Nocerino and others. But make no mistake, I follow you opinion and I hope as well, Mandragora, Orsolini and your Spinazzola get chances to prove them selves at Juventus Most players who are loaned out never return to be great and yes we need Keita balde, love the guy! speed and power my friend, speed and power
Agreed in some ways, mate…yet Rugani and Caldara are earmarked for the future of the defence. We have the strongest defence in the world in those positions, hence why Rugani is kept with us to learn from them and Caldara can wait, keep blossoming elsewhere. There will also be Romagna to consider in 2 years time I suspect.
I do not rate Spinazzola particularly highly, yet he is an option for the Home Grown in club rules.
Doubt we will see Orsolini in a juve shirt, perhaps neither Spinazzola, but Mandragora, most certainly.
I am close to finishing my latest youth report, will be interested in your views when published.
Can’t wait for the youth report! I agree on mandragora I think we got him dirt cheap and he certainly has world class potential. Orsolini has allot of potential but I think he’s 2-3 years away from really having a chance at juventus. I had high hopes for Romagna but he really hasn’t impressed at all in my opinion. Lirola has been exceptional.
I much rather we pull for Mbappe than Shick, Shick is good but he is no Mbappe, also witch keita do you speak off? Naby Keita or Keita Balde? Both would actually be very good signings! However i still Prefer Alexis Sanchez…if he takes a pay cut
Schick costs 25m. Mbappe costs 100m+. Schick knows Serie A and seems comfortable in a roaming CF role a la Higuain. Mbappe is not a player to lead the line and will not move to a club where he has no chance of starting…no chance we would pay 100m for a player who has everything still to prove…
But we already have Higuain, Higuain already cost us 90M, i dont see how paying 100M for a clear future star is mind boggling. I understand Shick knows Serie A, but that isn’t what we need; We have the team to run circles against every Serie A side, our 6 straight Championships prove this. Our Serie A dominance wont be in danger for another year or two when the Chinese money kicks in for Milan.
We need somebody who understands Europe, someone who can provide IN Europe, not in italy. Higuain has been horrible in europe….well not horrible, but he has not been providing and living up to his expectation (Monaco game aside)
I still don’t see how 100M for a Clearly future BalonD’oro winner, Oh and someone who by the way can replace Pogba in terms of Marketing, seems unfathomable? I’ll take Mbappe over Schick any day!
Fuck italy we need to concentrate in Europe. Making Juve strong for Europe will in turn keep us strong in italy, Strengthening ourselves for italy doesn’t in turn strengthen us for Europe, Schick is far more of a gamble than Mbappe, and it baffles me that the two can even be in the same sentence.
– No one in another league, aside from Conte knows about Schick. Or wants to sign him.
– Schick isn’t being talked about by European media.
– Schick doesn’t look like a likely Ballon D’oro winner someday.
– Schick has scored a measly amount of 11 goals this season in Serie A, while Mbappe has scored a more respectable 14 in France and 5 in Europe
How exactly is Schick even considered dependent, and Mbappe with still “something to prove” ???
We are on course to reach our second final of the premier club competition in three years and were skanked by officials last season against Bayern. We have a team capable of competing at the top level in Europe. Facts prove this.
We will not spend 100m on a player with one good season, in France, to show what he is made of. We cannot afford to do so and it is not at all in our DNA to do so…
There is no space for Mbappe, other than on the bench.
https://www.whoscored.com/PlayerComparison Those are the facts. Mbappe is an every way, shape, and form, better than Schick, only area where he isn’t, You called it! “defense”, However a forward’s job isn’t to defend, that was the problem with Mandzukic, before we bought Higuain. We needed someone who can lead the line and Kill in the counter, someone with a high press, Not someone who would get lost and forget he is a CF. I still fail to see how Schick is better than Mbappe in any way, If we where talking about a Mandzukic replacement, then maybe; But what we need now is a Higuain replacement/Sub
You fail to understand what I am stating.
A well run football club is not about putting together the strongest players in the world, it is about creating the strongest team possible.
We have the most prolific, hugely experienced prima punta in our ranks since Trezequet. He was a huge investment and has enjoyed a top drawer debut season. We also have finally moved beyond the 3-5-2 and more than flirted with a 4-3- something we have decided upon a 4-2-3-1 which suits the players and has brought out the best form of the season, perhaps the last two seasons…
we have no need for a player who only possibly fits in the number 9 or 10 role in our system who will expect to start and will cost 100m+.
Do you understand this?
it is not about who is better, who has the best stats, that is FM and puerile chatter. It is about what we need.
Mandzukic is a LM in our system, he is a poor sub for Higuain as a roaming CF. We need a back-up/apprentice for Gonzalo, for which no club would pay 100m+.
It is about need, not ‘X is better so get him’. that is not how football works. Unless you are the RM sporting director.
oh and our Management is already contemplating 80M for a Verratti we don’t need! i fail to see how 100M for a player we actually need, seems unfathomable?
Verratti we don’t need ??? Khedira Marchisio and Pjanic is all we got for 2 spots, so we need a fourth (lemina sturaro Rincon are just not good enough) Mandragora as a fifth backup and we always have Asamoah who can play there as well. So I guess we really need a big fourth CM, Verratti would be my ideal signing, but indeed 80M is way to much, Tolisso or Tielemans are great as well and cost I hope less 🙂
I believe that Mandragora is extremely highly thought of by the club, JM. And that he is in the balance to be retained for the first team next season.
Sami might leave, Lemina assuredly will be sold. Probably Rincon also. Keeping Sturaro, Marchisio, Pjanic, Mandragora and one other, which I would like to believe will be Tolisso.
I’ve not seen much of Tielemans…
look at his Manutd game he did good, he was the best player for Anderlacht
I think it is a Given Tolisso will join us, That’s why i said “A Verratti we don’t need” I much rather have Tolisso than Veratti and especially for the price. Reports say PSG wont even let Verratti leave, and others that say he may leave, say it will be for 80M, now after a bidding War with Bayern/Real/ and maybe a PL club that 80M can well exceed 100M
Mbappe will not displace Higuain or Dybala. Nor does he have – from what I have seen – any defensive zeal, therefore he has no place in the wide roles.
Keita Balde, I just got it for that guy. like a said in another discussion, his speed and power seduces me. I believe we need 2 wingers, to compete with Mandzukic and Cuadrado, Pjaca is more a Dybala substitute, so why not both?
Yes i’ve always thought the same of Pjaca, Shame he had to go get injured, i truly believed he was gonna breakout now in the latter stages of the Champions and Serie A
Indeed, mate, I was swaying between calm and elated. Yet to be fair, even now I would award the same ratings. Buffon and Dani were absolutely superb, so close to faultless, with barely any part of their game they or any other could have improved upon. The others were average to decent.
Another night of grit, determination and concentration needed in Turin. Then we will see about Real…
Real is as good as ours!
Based on what?
Experience was on full display last night, Monaco wasn’t as impressive as everyone made them out to be. Buffon made two really good saves but that was due to a lack of concentration on defenses part. The only Monaco player that impressed me was Mbappe, the rest were all pretty average especially Lemar. I thought Juve played with much less drive then they normally due. Fatigue had allot to play with that but 2-0 speaks for itself. Pjanic’s passing was a joy to watch, he looked like iniesta in his prime. Granted he made a mistake that almost cost us the game, overall contribution was excellent. Higguain’s finishing was phenomenal but my complain against him is still valid, he holds the ball for way to long in buildup play. Gets doubled teamed and causes a turnover, really should move it along faster when he drops deeper. To find words that fully descirbe Buffon might take a while, so I’ll leave it at greatest goalkeeper ever.
I have to disagree, mate, I feel Higuain is superb on the ball, the problem he has is that when he receives the ball there is rarely anyone to pass to in front, unless he has come deep, which he often does, and even then, it is usually a lateral pass open, not forward. He has been involved in so many goals beyond the 31 he has to his name this season. Finally we have the longstanding required replacement for Davide…We made Monaco look ordinary, and yes I agree, we were nowhere near our best.
We can agree to disagree but I hope I’m proven wrong. Part of the problem is remembering where his teammates are, there’s usually someone sprinting on the side with the run of play. Monaco couldn’t muster much even with Juve playing above average at best. Some criticism towards pjanic but he did cover the most ground. What I am enjoying more overtime is how much more we outrun opponents. It’s usually around 10km in serious game. No lack of effort from the boys and that shows you allegris philosophy. We all gave dani Alives sh** because he is up there in age but experience can’t be thought. On a free transfer I am speechless at the return on investment, I know we’re all excited about young players and their potential but Monaco is prime example. It has to be a mix of both, they need a year or two with this team if they manage to keep everyone. Allegri is the best coach in the world, so glad he wants to stay. Conte lacks experience to shift things mid game, safe to say allegri is an upgrade.
Lemar was great! he is most dangerous at corners and free kicks, some of his passes resulted in chances that where saved, or thwarted with amazing defending
We still need to be weary of Mendy, he didnt play but will most definitely play in Turin, they have nothing to lose, Mendy is an Alex Sandro double!