Juventus put in a solid if not spectacular display to comfortably beat Lazio 2-0 with goals from Mario Mandzukic and Miralem Pjanic.
Juventus Player Ratings
Defence
Wojciech Szczęsny: Made a good save early in the first half to keep Juve in the match during a brief period of Lazio dominance. A spectator for much of the game afterwards. 6.5/10
Leonardo Bonucci: Deserves credit for putting in a strong display at the back. Marshaled Immobile really well, made a few key interceptions and played the ball out from the back with consummate ease. 6.5/10
Giorgio Chiellini: A typically towering display – Seven clearances, two interceptions, strong in the air and in control at the back. 6.5/10
Alex Sandro: Not as good as he was against Chievo last weekend and made a poor tackle to pick up an early booking that likely influenced his restraint for the rest of the game. 6.0/10
Joao Cancelo: Much better at the back and he only got better as the game went on. Brilliant in the tackle, made some vital clearances and interceptions and provided a perfect cross to get Juve’s second. Bravo! 7.0/10
Midfield
Sami Khedira: Put in a good shift without being decisive to the game – Some nice passing and a half chance wasted in the first half. 6.0/10
Miralem Pjanic: Great delivery on the set-pieces as usual before taking the opening goal with a perfect finish from just outside the box. Dictated the play well and his passing was on point. A great display. 7.0/10
Blaise Matuidi: Does what he does with a minimum of fuss and gives Juve the energy they need at points in the game. Good passing throughout and excellent in tackle, winning 7/7. Solid. 6.5/10
Attack
Mario Mandzukic: Excellent as the focal point of the Juventus attack, holding up the ball well and drifting from the centre to the wide positions to alternate with Ronaldo. Secured the victory with a straight forward goal from Cristiano’s ‘assist’. 7.0/10
Cristiano Ronaldo: Drifted from the left and into the centre and back looking good in both positions. Crafted a half chance out of nothing by cleverly creating space for himself. Linked up well with his new teammates and should have scored Juve’s second but still managed an ‘assist’ – A solid display as he integrates into the team. 6.5/10
Federico Bernardeschi: Another bright display from the youngster who earned his place in the starting XI. Curled a wonderful effort at Strakosha who did well to parry it away. Looked lively throughout, just lacking a goal to cap a good performance. 6.5/10
Substitutes
Douglas Costa: Came on in the 60th minute but never really seemed to get going. Picked up a silly booking late on and perhaps he’ll fare better on the left. 6.0/10
Emre Can: Made another cameo display, playing 20 minutes. Supplied a great cross to Ronaldo before being booked for a really needless tackle late in the game. Will improve for more game time. 6.0/7.0
Rodrigo Bentancur: A brief late cameo with the game already won. N/A
