Player Ratings
Buffon – Outstanding. After his recent mishaps (2 in 15 years) it is a sign of his galactic prowess to deliver a match winning performance in which he was simply unbeatable. In a game with chances few and far between, Santo Buffon made several world class saves to keep his side in the tie. A legend, for now and always. 9
Barzagli – Back to his best, zero mistakes, strong in the tackle, covered superbly and his ability to organise and read the play remain second to none. 9
Bonucci – Absent of the wretched grab and hug foul which led to the penalty, Big Leo was superb throughout. 7
Evra – Asked to perform a different role to his normal fare and stuck to his task with maturity and bite. 7
Alves – He has grown on me and his defensive nous is far superior to what I had previously considered. His experience is vital in tough games such as this and he held his own with aplomb against far more spritely upstarts. 8
Khedira – Largely anonymous, which is a bother in such an important match on the big stage. To his credit he kept on plugging away yet found it hard to make his presence felt. 5.5
Lemina – Our form picked up earlier this campaign when we stopped asking him to play in a role which is not just unfamiliar but also not at all commensurate with his talent, which is there, but is clearly to be found when placed in an attacking midfield role, not as a defensive, ball playing regista. His yellow cards were a sign of immaturity and perhaps frustration. And the fact that we looked barely different – aside from sitting deeper – after his silly dismissal proves the point that we were yet again carrying the youngster. He also needs to get rid of the appalling tash. 4.5
Pjanic – Found it too tricky to get involved, with no space afforded and barely any options to seek out when he did find the ball at his feet. We need more from him if we are to prosper when facing stiffer challenges. Though stronger sides will afford him more space. 6
Sandro – Strong, adventurous and intelligent, Alex continues to impress me and given his age, we really do have a class player in our ranks with plenty of room to further develop. 7.5
Dybala – He was clearly targeted, crunched many times by many players, and found no joy whatsoever against a physically robust, well marshalled defence and midfield determined to hustle and refuse us any space in the final third. Much to learn. 6
Higuain – Despite the counter-attacking blockade faced, the big fella up top managed to find a couple of solid chances and kept the opponents close to honest. 6.5
Cuadrado – This is exactly how he should be used. Namely, as an impact sub, for his haphazard trickery and shooting in the final third is a wild card, which rarely comes up trumps, but when it does…it is often to achieve important goals. And this one could prove gold dust. Whilst he is often an irritation to endure, this was a performance which gave everything we could ask of any player. Coming on late, earning a yellow for another defender then smashing a wondrous strike into the roof of the net, through the keeper, for what proved the winner. Well done Juan! 9
I cannot help but smile towards Allegri, for he takes so many risks yet maintains a poker face. The bastard is having fun with his work! Why the hell play Lemina in the one role where he has appeared poor in every outing? Which didn’t seem to matter too much for a fair while for we hit the ground running and took the game to the home team. Yet still I remain perplexed, for he is making matters harder than they need be, given our resources. Hernanes proves his worth in the role, and is then dropped?
Lyon set out to counter-attack. Sit deep, hope for opportunities on the break, which did come, but for the whole defended resolutely and in great numbers. It is one of only two games this season in which the opposition created nearly as many decent chances as ourselves. The difference was not just the decent strike by Cuadrado, but mainly Buffon who was in imperious form.
A quick note on the home fans who when finding their side in the ascendency, playing 11 v 10, whistled, booed and threw bottles at Dybala. Idiocy personified through mass hysteria.
We were nowhere near our best, yet against teams of a decent yet inferior level, we must learn self restraint and patience, which is tricky with the selection changing game to game, for the players have to restart every match, seek cohesion, learn where the runners are heading, combine, mesh, try to become one with each other. I understand Allegri’s thinking, yet rarely agree, for had we played Hernanes instead of Lemina, such was our dominance until the red card, I believe we would have won more comfortably. Regardless of such pondering, we achieved the victory and learned much.
What I did admire of Il Mister was that when we went down to 10 men, he barely flinched and then waited for what seemed an age before making any subs. This showed confidence, which will have been translated to the players. He obviously felt we remained very much in the game and was merely waiting to adjust as he saw fit to offer greater opportunity to find the result we sought and needed. And he was Right.
The biggest challenge this year is not who we face, but organising the troublesome midfield. It is looking likely we will get through the group stage, and then have a few months to gain some momentum, reintegrate Marchisio and Sturaro and hopefully start to fulfil the staggering potential of perhaps the most talented squad we have had since 2006.
This was no memorable outing for many of our players, yet what I was impressed by, was our hunger and desire, and also our grinta. And no matter how much I can criticise Allegri, results and standings prove that he is doing a sterling job in a tricky period. Top of Serie A by 5 points and top of our champions league group, we cannot ask for more…
forza juve
NB. The U19s won their UEFA Youth League tie 0-3 away to Lyon. Kastanos missed a penalty with a jolly attempt at a panenka. Caligara then thundered in the opener from 20 yards out, Zeqiri missed a golden chance to make it 0-2 with Leris soon after scoring a wonderfully improvised volley from close range. Clemenza, still on the comeback trail, appeared late on and was involved in a beautiful passing interchange which led to a tap in from his own tidy lower paws for 0-3. For the first time since the competition was launched, we find ourselves topping the group, perfectly poised to progress to the knock-out phase.
Yet again, I find little to nothing to argue in your analysis! I would have given Buffon flat-out a 10 though, he stopped a penalty and numerous great shots, he was as solid as a brick wall between the posts!
Our central midfield needs to find a solution fast, this area has been our main strength for years, it is embarrassing to watch the mess it is now. Disjointed, unorganised and often sloppy. Lemina is an ill fit for the DM role and hopefully the Mister will soon stop using him in that position.
I am unsure whether or not that penalty was a correct call, it seemed lightly given to me. The same goes for the double yellows for Lemina. Yes there was reason to give him those and thus send him off, yet was that really necessary?
I did like how it made Lyon come forward however. Instead of sitting back and soaking up the pressure, they finally smelled blood and came forward, allowing our speedy Cuadrado to take home the spoils of war with his surge forward and scorching strike in the goal!
Besides that, I was mildly bothered to see Evra take a CB role with a fit Benatia on the bench. Allegri said it was to avoid taking risks with him after a lengthy layoff, but I think Benatia was fine, yet I concede Allegri has more information to base his decision on.
Only Lemina as DM was an ill choice, I think is fair to say?
May Marchisio and Sturaro swiftly find form again and make our midfield a true beast once more. Lemina is out of depth, Hernanes too much hit-and-miss and Khedira still finding a good balance on the pitch, we got away with it so far, but it won’t last like this
I think we can safely say after numerous matches that the results are in for Lemina playing as a DM, and the verdict is not good…..
The verdict reads as following: Please, no more..
Hola comrade!…It is extremely rare for me to award any player a 9, let alone a 10! Santo Buffon will have better games. Two of the saves were classy, one was simply beyond the realm of mere mortals. But still…that is who he is.
I prefer to focus on my words on Allegri’s early doors squad management as I wrote of above in the comments section and ponder that with a midfield as wretched as you suggest, we still remain in a brilliant position all round.
The penalty was concrete by my own reckoning. Chiellini is the usual culprit for hugging attackers then going down, but this effort by Big Leo (whose head and heart are surely elsewhere given the illness of his son) was what the english call ‘stone wall penalty’. Yes, the attacker made the most of it, but Big Leo made this an easy decision for the ref.
Lemina is out of his depth at CM, yet in the Khedira position of our fluid 3-5-2, he is often okay. I remain one of his biggest critics in the juvefc crowd, and will remain so, but it is Allegri who asked him to play a position not in tune with his natural game, and he can but try…and fail!
Considering in a month we could have a match sharp Pjanic – Marchisio – Khedria, with Sturaro – Hernanes – Lemina as the second choice, the future looks fine. Add in, potentially, Witsel for January, and perhaps Mandragora, and we will soon enough have the options to smooth out the most obvious creases in the team.
I do not find much bother at all with the 3-5-2, it is constantly changing between 3-4-3, 4-3-3, 3-3-4…and is more often than not seen on field as one of those three formations than the standard 3-5-2. It fits our team perfectly, whilst we have the expertise and experience of Bonucci, Chiellini and Barzagli. Yes we may transition in future, but why bother, when we are yet to use this system with a fully fit and match sharp squad?
Great to find your comments as always, mate!
In Buffon we trust my friends, I’ve never seen a more impressive performance from any goal keeper! ever!!!!. But make no mistake folks, this was a poor game by Juventus. Besides Higguains header, we barely tested their goalkeeper. The lack of creativity in the middfield is mind bodging, all the responsibility seems to fall on pjanic. Once opposition cuts him off, we seem to be completely lost. This is one area we need to improve on, it seems Lemina is trying to fill that position but it will take time.Hats off to Allegri, when he brough in Sturaro I thought… “wtf you need more defensive players???” and when Cuadrado came in I shook my head even more but Allegri played his cards right. It seems we are short on attack, with Mandzukic and Pjaca out we really have only two healthy forwards. In a match this intense there was no way Kean was going to debute so I guess we will wait a little longer. Lots to absorb but in typical Juve fashion we get better as the season progresses.
How about the youth team folks? First in our divison as well!! I knew Clemenza would come good, he is the most complete player in our youth teams. I keep comparing him to del piero because I really think he is that good. Caligara is a monster folks!! He is only 16 but has been as equally impressive as Kean has. I can see this team getting to say semi finals!! Super excited both teams won.
Idk if its jusy me, but im enjoying our attacking style. The first half i felt we did great. We pinned them back well enough and they hardly had chances at goal or was able to control the tempo of the match. I believe we had about 59% of possession? We created some quality oppurtunities, but credit to Lyon for quickly closing them down.
Second half, i was set to pass out haha. I was tired to say the least and i took a nap at the 55 min mark, so i ovmbviously wasnt able to follow the rest of the match. But to my delight, i woke up to a victory! XD
welcome input as always, Jas! and I know I can count on you for mentioning the youngsters!
It was an odd approach, to sit back and aim to hit us on the counter. One we dealt with well enough yet given I watch every game, take notes for the reports I then conjure, this was the only game this season (even including the Inter debacle) wherein our chances created were close to equal with our opponents. We are prone to high pressing, but that gives us chances the other end. The players are there to unlock the best defences, and we have potentially, a world class rearguard. However, the midfield needs to be sorted.
You are spot on in terms of Clemenza, despite my attempts to play down your enthusiasm. He is a player I have long watched and admired, and had he not suffered that ACL injury he would by now be perhaps plying his trade in the top flight elsewhere. It is extremely encouraging to see him return in such fine form. And I am glad that Grosso is bringing him back slowly, from the bench. He is too good for youth football…but I do not wish to tempt fate, so will leave him be for now!
Caligara is still so young, at just 16, but his talent is phenomenal and he is showing zero problems adjusting to playing against players 2-3 years older. Considering he plays more central and deeper, whilst I will not suggest he is as startling a talent as Kean, Fabrizio continues to show mega promise.
What we will agree upon is that we would both like to see Clemenza skip the loan rites of passage routine and head straight to the seniors…
The approach was very odd I agree my friend. Given the amount of possession Juve held we needed better service for the two strikers. Higguain is a monster but his magic is really in the box, this is where our creative players need to spark. I am optimistic yet cautious as well, most big games we’ve played so far have been quite random in circumstance and result. I am not even sure what to make off it anymore, perhaps in the progression of time we will see a more fluid approach with better results. We will most likely win the group, I am fairly confident about that. Perhaps when Betancur arrives in January, the missing peace will complete the puzzle… I hope at least. Then there is Witsel, lots of rumors out there but if we get him for 5 million, it will be the biggest bargain since Pirlo.
The youth side is on a absolute rampage folks. They won their last primavera game 8-1, then went off and destroyed Lyon 3-0 and this is all without Kean in the line up!! Tough to say but we probably have a top 5 perhaps even top 3 youth side in the world.Clemenza is probably my favorite player outside of the 1st team. Not since Del Piero have I come to admire one’s spirit, I can’t explain in good terms but I really think we are looking at a future captain. Most likely he will go out on loan in January or perhaps be promoted to the first team.
It is a golden era to be a bianconero. Like the Mayan calendar we have gone through all the stages of disparity and now we enter the golden era. From calciapoli to terrible management to useless overpiced players! We have risen from the ashes on all fronts. 1st team and youth team are first in the domestic league and champions league, what more can we really ask for here?
I enjoy your enthusiasm, comrade! Yet will suggest we likely have the strongest primavera in Italy, perhaps…Verona, Inter and Roma are all looking lively. And Avellino, that lovely 8-1 mauling, have begun the season appallingly. Shipping 20 goals in 5 games, losing 4 of 5. And in france, the home side had a player sent off early doors, which helped our cause immensely.
Still, I am content with our progress. Grosso is doing a decent job and I am glad he didn’t leave in the Summer when a couple of senior management positions were offered.
I would love to see us get to the knockout stage and face one of the consistently dominant teams thereafter…but yes yes, this is probably the most talented crowd all coming through at the same time, we have had for many moons. I will try get onto a youth report soon. It is now long overdue!
Despite Higuain and Dybala not scoring, i feel they had quality performances. Higuain is doing things i havent seen a striker do since del piero. His runs, control and calm mind is key. I remember an instance where he comfortably settled with the ball deep in he Pk box and created a bit of space for a shot, but the lyon defense did well to close down the shot at goal.
Dybala is looking quicker and sharper. Hes makong quicker decisions and is attempting some interesting plays.
Im happy with this teams progress. Our squad is not 100% and we ve had our 2nd squad for the majority of this season and we re standing high and mighty in Italy and Europe. Cant wait for Principino to make his return, but in due time.
I feel we should give Khedira some mins on the bench after this weekends game. I dont expect his fitness to be at top peak with the multiple injuries hes gone through in his career.
Lastly, Buffon is love, Buffon is life.
Not so jolly for Dybala, though he played his heart out and will learn from such encounters. As for Gonzalo…he is the most complete striker we have had in the ranks since Trezeguet and Del Piero. Tevez could be mentioned but his game was far more similar to Dybala, for he loved to roam and hustle. Higuain is yet to have a poor game, and he is also yet to be given a lengthy run in anything resembling a settled starting XI, which makes the present return on our investment, other than the stats, very welcome indeed. He is a world class striker. No doubt on that score whatsoever.
I wouldn’t say we have had our second string. It is simply Allegri’s method. Mixed with dealing with the injuries sustained. Basically speaking, Il Mister is well aware of our quality, well aware of the likelihood of beating most teams domestically simply on our individual, not collective talent. He is focused, even now, on March. On the knock-out phases of the champions league, the latter stages of the coppa italia and league. And so he focuses everything upon this aim, which is to have us firing on all cylinders when all competitions enter the business end of proceedings.
As bothersome as it certainly can be, for it produces haphazard, disjointed performances one game to the next, this period is about gaining match sharpness squad wide, not just the ideal first XI, but every player to be called upon. Allegri balances this with the results achieved, and given we are in prime position in league and Europe, he will continue, at least until progression to the knockout stage is assured or we falter horribly and for more than just one game, on the domestic front. After November, he will begin to focus more seriously on finding the best first XI.
It is not my own idea of the best method, for I prefer to gain momentum and cohesion as soon as possible and am no advocate for rotating players in their 20s at this stage of the season. Yet he is the coach, and the results presently vindicate his approach and methods. Which are by now crystal clear. Allegri is playing for glory on all fronts, and this is his method. Love it or hate it.
i cant wait the time when claudio is back to full fitness, he will take us to another level,
what happened to Pjaca? he wasnt even on the bench, is he injured??? these types of games and like when playing sevilla (ultra physical and defensive) are perfect for Cuadrado and Pjaca, they are just so Wiley, Tricky and Fast. Cuadrado’s goal was a beauty to be hold
i was really looking forward to see Kean but completely understand why today was not his day
Buffon is just nothing but a God! nuff said i bow at his shrine!
yep, got injured over int. break, should be back soon,
ahh got it, i was like ” i never saw him get hurt with juve, why is he not even on the bench” lol
Heres something you might like
https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/juventus-send-scouts-to-watch-mainz-anderlecht-47848
indeed notes like these sooths my soul
pretty overrated ratings but never mind,
OT: 59 games – 38 goals and 26 assists , guess who is this former Juve player guys
Rugani back in juve training