Player Ratings
Buffon – Made a couple of solid, yet comfortable saves in a match where the goal was rarely threatened. No chance on the late header. Defence was to blame for that bother. 6.5
Bonucci – Average performance from the big man who had two efforts on goal when prancing forward. Looked a little uncomfortable with Benatia. 6
Benatia – Worked hard, was perhaps lacking communication when the goal came late on but otherwise showed he can prove a dependable back-up. Would have preferred to see Rugani. 6
Alves – I think he set up Higuain’s strike which led to Claudio’s rebound effort. Yet overall Dani was poor. He showed little value in either end of the pitch and it worries me to consider that Allegri might seriously start him in Europe in place of Stephan. For he lacks the intelligence to allow Cuadrado to take the spaces high up the field he is eager to forage for himself and is far less dependable defensively. 5
Asamoah – Hustled and bustled, held down the flank and delivered some decent balls into the box. Also made a stunning tackle to deny the striker a clean shot on goal after Alves had set him up with an appalling header. 7
Khedira – Though he fared well, and looked more spritely than last week I continue to feel at present he works better in the fulcrum alongside Pjanic. 6
Marchiso – Took his goal splendidly and kept trying to pull the strings in midfield. His stamina is improving as is his touch, with his fine footballing brain as sound as always. However, this was the second game on the trot he has made a vicious, needles foul. Maybe frustration, or a different Principino has emerged from the hospital ward, one brimming with spite. 6.5
Pjaca – A below par outing for the youngster. I was thinking as I watched ‘He thinks he is still playing in Croatia…these tricks don’t work in Serie A’. Looked for free kicks whenever he lost the ball and though faced with numerous opponents, he failed to capitalise on the brief moments of success. He has much to learn, but will learn solely through playing. Glad to see him finally on the field. 5
Sturaro – Strange to see him deployed so high up the field, a position which does not suit his natural tenacity and skill set, yet he tucked into the middle more often than not. He won the free kick that led to Dybala’s gorgeous opener and tackled well enough, though was unable to offer much more. 5.5
Lemina – Gave the ball away several times and appeared disconnected from his team-mates and the tactics. 5
Dybala– Hit the post, scored a sublime free kick, created one for his Argie pal then wrapped up the double with a smart strike from the edge of the 18 yard box. One of those games where he very much looked like a world star in the making. 9.5
Higuain – His form is steady and powerful. Took his goal superbly, supplied the perfect assist for Dybala when he was being fouled and never stopped charging into intelligent positions. 8
Palermo were hapless in defence, though made a fist of it when flowing forward, to at least offer a mild test to the side in black and white.
We bossed the game from start to finish, could have scored more than the four, were wasteful on the ball and pretty much carrying Alves and Pjaca. Which is a testament to both the strength of the others and the lameness of our visitors from Sicily.
Some of our play was classy. Especially the growing combination between Higuain and Dybala, with the latter deployed higher up the field than I have seen for a while. That is the bonus of playing Sturaro, who prefers to head central and offer defensive zeal than be responsible for crafting the play.
Lemina was woeful, yet he hasn’t impressed throughout the season. A lingering thought remains of his possible use in one of the 3 up top, yet he has shown nothing to warrant moving up the pecking order. I remain very much unconvinced.
Its a shame that we conceded so late on, yet considering the changes in defence it comes as no surprise. I just hope it hasnt left a bad taste in the mouth for all concerned in Turin.
The squad looks in decent shape for the Porto tie. And its pleasing to read of Allegri stating that we will almost certainly stick with the new formation. If Chiellini doesn’t make the game, Rugani can slot in more comfortably than Benatia. Pjanic should surely come in for Marchisio, Cuadrado and Mandzukic also. Which leaves solely the LB slot. No doubt Allegri will go with the Brazilian, up against his old club, but I would be perfectly content to see Asamoah start in his place, who has performed very well indeed since reprising the LB role.
We have two of the most in form strikers in Europe. A capable defence, world class keeper and lively, fluid midfield. Now is the time we will be able to judge our progress. Are we able to transplant generally impressive domestic form to the big stage? Much will depend on mentality, though on paper we have a superior side.
13 games to go in the league, a probable 7 point lead and every game from here on in becomes pivotal. I give praise to Allegri who has once again appeared to get the squad in the best condition of the season, at the right time to challenge on all fronts.
forza juve
TGP
(follow me on twitter here)
Very harsh with Alves Khedira and Sturaro. With all respect they did their job throughout. Very little from the opponents it could have easily been 6. About Pjaca agree two chances given two missed.
I thought they were all poor to average, mate. This was against probably the poorest team I have seen us play this season. Palermo were a shambles throughout…
But you have to consider for sturaro this was hardly his kind of match khedira when he can he takes a breather playing and Alves that kind of injury at 33. Thats all now focused for some cl
I am a big fan of STuraro. Always will be. And accept that he has not played much of late and it was a role he is unaccustomed to. Yet I can only judge him and others on what I saw.
I feel Sturaro is a box to box midfielder. And he loves to battle. Asked to play high and link the play does not suit him. I retain high hopes for a long and illustrious career for the lad in black and white.
I am fine with Khedira reserving some energy. Surprised he has not been given a break, as has Pjanic. His ceiling is sky high and he has been one of our better performers this season in a midfield which has been muddled and struggling, in comparison to previous seasons. No surprise given the departures.
Alves has yet to shine. He is liable to making mistakes when trying to play the ball too smartly at the back and he has not surpassed Luchsteiner’s steady output in the final third.
Forza Sturaro mate ! Love his game, wouldn’t mind the duo of Pjanic-Sturaro, while the other is busy making chances, the latter would stand by and getting ready for some tackles, and his positioning is getting better and better (god knows he learn it from Khedira), just needs some improvement in his final touch.
Mark my words. God willing this year we will be UCL champions. We will show all those half baked european teams who is boss in Italy and in europe. A new Juve reign is coming this way.
From the cradle to the grave, fino alla fine!! Fuck everyone else, cheers.
We have a chance. Let us first focus on beating Porto, progressing the coppa and maintaining our lead at the top of Serie A.
Only Bayern look strong all over the field. Great if Barca are out, though they are capable of putting 4 or more past PSG, though will have to push and leave themselves open, so assume they are gone.
We are in good shape. Just wish we had seen more of Pjanic the last few games. We have seemed at our best with him alongside Khedira.
If I had a twitter account I would surely be following you and enjoying your posts and texts as I enjoyed reading this analysis.
I did not see the game. Had to do some exercise so I went with a fellow Juventino and played some badminton.
That doesn’t matter. What matters is that we take all three points. Not only did we do so, it seems like we put in a solid performance as well.
Very happy that Higuain has scored more goals that he has played(in his last 10 games if I am not miaataken), and that Dybala seemed to have a lot of fun.
What is alarming is the fellowing; Alves – I think he set up Higuain’s strike which led to Claudio’s rebound effort. Yet overall Dani was poor. He showed little value in either end of the pitch and it worries me to consider that Allegri might seriously start him in Europe in place of Stephan. For he lacks the intelligence to allow Cuadrado to take the spaces high up the field he is eager to forage for himself and is far less dependable defensively. 5
I have had doubts about his defensive work for a while now, but I thought to my self when we signed him. Okay, this is a hungry lad who knows what it takes to win a lot of trophies, maybe he can help us grow in Europe with his experience, and even though Lichateiner is better than him defensively he will surely make it up to us in the offensive side. At this point I am not certain what he contributes with to the team?
Hope you enjoyed your game of badminton, VK! I used to play as a kid, that wicked hand eye co-ordination had me representing my town adult club when 14, attending tournaments, winning medals. It was odd to appear and find myself seeded. However, I only ever made the shadow state squad as…I was an appallingly bad loser. Even to start to lose a game sent me mental. And I remember more my mother in the viewing gallery, her head in her hands as rather than fight back when down a few points I would attempt instead to smash the shuttle cock at my foe! Terrible temperament.
I have played a few times here, with my ex lover mainly, and once or twice with the adults, but given the amount of asians here, who biologically seem naturally superior, I have left the game alone now for a fair while…
As for Alves…I do not think he is suited to italian football. In Spain there are few sides who offer solid defensive zeal, Seville is one, who I suspect will maul Leicester this week. He tries to play pretty too much, lacks stamina and rarely makes a crunching tackle. Also, given our new system involves a right wing forward, the space he naturally likes to run into, is taken up by Cuadrado. He has been out for a fair while, but his performances before the injury were nothing to shout about.
He might make more tackles per game than Stephan, but much of that is due to his positioning, which places him always eager to attack, whereas Stephan knows where to be defensively so has less need to make tackles. He is already there when the ball appears loose!
In other news…the primavera recovered from the two losses on the trot to smash Avellino 5-0. Muratore, Leris, Clemenza 2 and Mattiello got the goals.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5ccyel_primavera-juventus-avellino-5-0_sport