Player Ratings
Buffon – Largely untested, one of his quietest games for many moons. Made one routine save down low, other than which was a spectator. 6
Chiellini – Upped his game, as he had to, and kept the foes at bay with a focused outing. 6.5
Bonucci – Stuck to his defensive duties, which was needed after his last outing. Rarely stepped out of defence, though when he did, the big fella almost scored!6.5
Lichsteiner – We are so much more solid defensively with Stephan in the side. He was fine at the back, offered little going forward as Cuadrado was occupying that role. 6.5
Asamoah – Brilliant to see him reprising his LB/LWB role with such zeal. Got up and down the flank well, showed improved stamina. I am confident we would be fine if Evra leaves and Asamoah continues to deputise for Sandro. 7
Khedira– Finally got to see the German deployed deep and he was a fulcrum for the offensive endeavour as much as a solid screen for the defence. One of his most valuable games for a while. 7
Pjanic – Showed great intelligence, positional discipline and was always a fleet footed, quick thinking outlet for the defence. He is certainly blossoming of late, no matter where we play him. 7
Mandzukic – CML is an odd role to see the giant croat tasked with, yet he was a success. Not only his perfectly cushioned header for the assist but his discipline in terms of maintaining a physical presence in that area of the field. His fitness is supreme as is his dedication to the cause and selflessness. 7.5
Cuadrado – Yes yes! He produced a superb cross for the second goal. Besides this he was abject to average. His pace and trickery is useful, but the value more often than not proves flashes in the pan. 6.5
Dybala – Scored a sumptuous opener, and should have had a hatrick. He needs to work on his composure. Yet at least he is finding himself in several goalscoring chances per game. Will prove more prolific if as in this tie, he has less work deep and can focus on finding space in the final third. 7
Higuain – Led the line strongly, took his goal smartly and dragged the defenders all over the place. Gonzalo has 14 goals from 15 starts in Serie A. Fine form indeed. 7.5
Pjaca – I cannot wait until we see the young Croat play a full ninety minutes, for his chances created per minute must be ever so high. He came close twice, the goals will come. Progress. 7
Barzargli – Appeared late to shore up the defence and fared well enough. 6.5
Rincon – Got himself involved at both ends of the field. Little time to impress. 6
Allegri surprised many with his selection and tactics. Some of which could be down to a lack of confidence in Hernanes and Sturaro, or perhaps he just rolled the dice whilst assuming with five very offensive players on the field we would outscore out opponents. Whatever the reason behind the change, it worked.
The first 20-30 minutes saw us extremely dominant against a decent side. We were finally playing quality football. And for a period, we looked like causing carnage every time we went forward.
We slowed down in the second half, yet still created a handful of gilt edged chances. With Lazio creating close to nothing in turn. This was a vastly improved performance, which was needed, but still we looked rusty in some moves, and are far away from meeting even the sum of our parts let alone anything more spectacular.
What this performance and result does suggest, not prove, is that we have so much talent up top and at the back we need not focus on winning a midfield battle against all but the strongest opponents.
Had Dybala or Pjaca taken their chances, we would have won 4 or 5-0, and it would have been merited. We must learn how to truly kill teams off. For only Higuain appears capable of gobbling up every solid opening he finds. Without his world class striking prowess we would be far worse off.
Still, let us consider the many positives. We did not look frail. A clean sheet, rarely threatened. An assist or goal for each of the front four and we should have won more handsomely. Also…no more injuries.
Will Allegri be brave enough to adopt the same winning system against Milan if Marchisio is fit? I do not believe so. He lacks the cunning of Khedira, and the physicality. Regardless of such ponderings, we sent a message to the league and beyond; Juve remain a very dangerous side and our home record is indomitable.
With more players finally coming back to full fitness, we can resume a hopeful attitude towards the business end of the season.
forza juve
TGP
(follow me on twitter here)
Glad to read Mandzukic had a great game, in particular with the odd position on the field for this game. Perhaps we found him a new place to thrive at?
I don’t know, James…I suspect this formation will only work domestically.
I don’t expect Allegri to use it in CL anyway, we’ve always been more reserved in that competition.
But there is also rumored interest in Mario from China, who knows what will happen if they come knocking again. He isn’t getting younger after all
Why not in the champions league. We were super solid at the back and hit hard when it counted. Its a useful system.
I dont mean we shouldnt use it, I literally mean i dont expect it there because we usually play with a system we know through and through.
I would not mind it all to see it used in CL !
Mandzukic deserves every bit of the praises.
No, he is not a goalgetter like Higuin nor does he have the trickery of Dybala. However, Mandzukic seems to be aware of his limits and make up for them with extremely hard and dedicated work. I know, when we are missing goals this is not ideal, but for all the harsh words he has suffered, I am glad to see the rating he gets.
Allegri did what differentiated him so much from Conte in his first season, he showed us that Juventus is much more and can be much more. Conte’s conservative approach often “killed” the mood for me, not that I didn’t appreciate the wins, but Allegri brings out the passion.
Good win and as the brilliant review says, then we are all waiting for Dybala – Pjaca magic.
He’s a special type of player indeed. Probably the hardest worker in the squad, which is commendable and at the same time the reason he can be frustrating. He’s so often deep in our own space, defending and fighting for the ball, but then he is nowhere to be seen up front at the time we need him as target point.
Still, he did exceptionally well it would seem and I’m happy for the big man.
Hoping for Pjaca to be able to have an impact in the second half of the season, that damn injury has kept him out long enough already
Spot on with the comments regarding Conte. I have often remarked that Antonion kept the side too regimented, and in our first seasom under Allegri, he removed these shackles, encouraged players to blossom and play with more freedom. It remains early days, but as I have been banging on about for a while, we will not see the best of this side until the majority of our finest talents are all fit and sharp at the same time. This has simply not happened this season, until now…Could be the perfect time, with Europe on the horizon and the league and coppa to contend with more seriously.
https://youtu.be/-1RtWMNzRk0
here he is, our big fella, dont you guys think that he pretty worked on his speed? he is much faster now, and did you ever see him doing a tricks like he did against lazio?great outing
It was a great peformance from Super Mario, and perhaps we have found a way to both get the best out of his major assets whilst still been able to deploy our more potent in the final third players in attendance. It is akin to having a target man in midfield; for he wins close to every aerial battle, brings the ball down well and has a solid engine. A master stroke by Allegri…
yes , all truth, allegri surprised me like never with this selection, but maybe i would swap cuadrado for pjaca, what do you think? could this work?
Allegri’s surprise move was a treat to us fans, but imagine it had gone wrong. How outrage would the media and fans be?
Pjaca is someone we have been longing for since his arrival, sadly injuries have postponed his entrance. However, I would prefer him, based on the few minutes, over Cuadrado, who to me lack the mentality to preform steady and make the right decisions. Its like being on a rollercoaster when watching our dear Cuadrado, you go from excitement to fear, from laughing to getting a bad stomach.
It is more despndency with me, regarding Cuadrado. He is more often poor than useful. I do not believe it is down to how we deploy him for it matters not whether he has defensive duties or not, his output remains similar. Still…I suppose we could see how he fares in a 4-3-3…That woud be to his major advantage, with no defensive duties, he could stretch the play and speed as he pleases…Unlikely, for in terms of players up top to warrant a tinkering, Pjaca is much higher on my own list of possibilities.
Pjaca appears to be brutally capable in a left attacking role. I would hazard that he cannot be any worse offering defensive zeal than Juan, so yes yes! why not eh? Though Alves will be back soon, and Allegri has a fetish for him. So…who knows what will come. I will stick to assuming Pjaca is the first port of call when Dybala comes off.
ok so lets pass this to Allegri lol
Will Allegri perserve with a system and selection which has brought not only our most comprehensive victory against a decent side for many moons, but also entertained?
I would like to believe so. I suppose it comes down to what he values more, and the coppa italia is third on the list of priorities.
In other news…Benatia may not be purchased. Which would please me, for he has not excelled, his injury woes continue and his presence affects the development of Rugani, who really should be played more. If we are to move to a more consistent back four, Rugani perhaps drops behind Barzagli in the pecking order of even substitutes.
https://app.football-italia.net/?referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.football-italia.net%2F97340%2Fallegri-%25E2%2580%2598pjaca-won%25E2%2580%2599t-start%25E2%2580%2599#article/footballitalia-97340
oh jesus christ allegri, wtf?you afraid to field pjaca but you dont with cuadrado?lol
hernanes on verge of genoa loan