Sassuolo 1-3 Juventus
Goals ~ Dybala 16, 49, 63 (J), Politano 51 (J)
Paulo Dybala made his 100th Juventus appearance and stole the show, scoring a hattrick to stun Sassuolo 3-1.
Thoughts:
It may ‘only’ be Sassuolo, but the performance showed plenty of things to be happy about and there are some encouraging signs for Juve in the season ahead.
– I should start with the man of the match – Paulo Dybala, on his 100th appearance no less, absolutely routed Sassuolo. His movement and control is so fast and impossible to predict, his vision, the way he drifts across the pitch with such freedom, dropping deep when required, darting forward on the counter, holding up play….I can’t say enough good things about him. There were obvious concerns, after the Paul Pogba fiasco, that perhaps a ‘young’ player wouldn’t have the shoulders to wear a shirt as important as the ’10’. For some it’s just a number, for others its more of a symbol, and when you factor in the important players that have worn it, you can understand why some wilt under the pressure. To the contrary, Dybala has stepped up in a big way, from being more of a creative outlet last season, to actually pushing forward and scoring the goals himself this season, dominating matches and making the most of the space his teammates movement affords him. He’s been decisive and there’s a measure of maturity to his performances so far, never shying way, always stepping up to become the focus of attention. Bravo Paulito.
– When Cuadrado is good, he is very good. Perhaps this is his standard or perhaps playing against a 3-5-2 made it easier for him in some ways? No matter, he pushed down the right flank and found plenty of space, providing some great service for Higuain, cutting in and out of the box with relative ease. The healthy competition and missing the midweek game might have made all the difference and maybe it’s better to let him skip a game and keep alternating between with Douglas Costa (who also impressed in a very brief cameo). It’s an encouraging sign and it’s a relief that we’ve finally got plenty of cover up front to the extent where we can substitute a great player for an even better player from the bench. Depth is really going to make a difference going forward.
– Lichtsteiner was woeful and at fault more than once today. The defence on the whole was more solid for having both Giorgio and Daniele playing at CB while Alex Sandro improved markedly, however the RB position continues to cause us problems. My only hope is that Howedes can force himself into the team and onto the right where we need some defensive stability. Lichtsteiner is caught out way too often, his positioning leaves a lot to be desired and at times he is far off the pace while De Sciglio has a way to go before he can be featured regularly. A minor concern after a strong performance like that, but a concern, nonetheless.
– Miralem Pjanic only seems to be improving for each game that he plays which makes me think the 2-man midfield is a better fit for him, or perhaps it’s something more simple like having Blaise Matuidi alongside? The duo have really impressed so far, picking up a good understanding of one another and knowing one another’s roles too a tee. It’s still early days, but it presents some interesting options for the games ahead, given that Bentancur made a good debut in the 4-3-2-1 formation Allegri used against Barcelona. I can’t help but think where Sami and Claudio might best be used when they both recover…..for now, it has to be Blaise and Mire, or possibly Marchisio – Pjanic – Matuidi? Would be curious to know your thoughts below…..
– All in all, a good showing and a good run-out for the players returning from injury, especially when we have Fiorentina midweek. Howedes is expected to return tomorrow while there are more tests scheduled for Marchisio and De Sciglio, leaving Khedira’s return something of a mystery for now. I like the way we moved the ball today and the dominance we showed early on, pegging Sassuolo back into their own half for 30 minutes before we stopped to take a breather. Everything seems to be faster right now, with Dybala in the centre, the heartbeat of the attack – An interesting matchup against La Viola awaits….
Lineups:
Sassuolo: Consigli; Letschert, Cannavaro, Acerbi; Lirola, Mazzitelli (Duncan 58), Magnanelli (Matri 78), Sensi, Adjapong; Politano (Ragusa 64), Falcinelli
Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner (Barzagli 72), Rugani, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Pjanic, Matuidi; Cuadrado, Dybala (Bernardeschi 84), Mandzukic; Higuain (Douglas Costa 78)
Ref: Massa
Statistics:
Man of the Match: Paulo Dybala
Flop of the Match: Stephan Lichtsteiner
Corners: 4
Pass Accuracy: 87%
Shots on Target: 6
Total Shots: 14
Ball Possession: 63%
Formation: 4-3-2-1
Can’t help to worry about our defense and build-up.
Defense is far from confident. They lack chemistry and leadership. I hope to see Howedes becoming a player that will hold our defense together.
In my opinion, our build-up has the same problem. It seems to me that the team doesn’t have much planed out when they cross the center of the field. Build-up looks nervous. There were loads of occasions when you could spot that there were no possibilities other then to make a cross from mid-field and hope that someone will catch the ball.
I trust that it is still to early to judge the situation, because things need to fall in place, but I feel that we are missing core components for the machine to be unleashed.
Felt Higuain got some service today and still reacted dismally. Sandro was better but defense still quick to break down. One of Cuadrado’s finest Juve performances, Dybala sublime, Matuidi popping up everywhere. I keep thinking were going to wind up with/4-3-1-2 unless Higuain revives dramatically.
Perhaps I am to accustomed a default position of siege mentality when it comes to Stephan, but from my viewing he has been fine this season, and Sandro has looked noticeably worse – lethargic, offering little in the final third, getting done at the back. And even yesterday, I saw Stephan make a slip, which counted towards the goal, and be caught a little 2 on 1 as always because he has at very best haphazard defensive support from Juan. I also saw Buffon slip, Rugani get done in a poor position, Chiellini hesitant and ponderous and as mentioned Sandro very much out of sorts…and so I wonder, how others watch the same game and deem Lichsteiner as more poor than others. Part of me believes it more a herded mentality, but this could be simply part of my own defence of my stance on the matter.
I also didn’t feel Cuadrado was particularly great…he fell over more times than I could count on two hands and to see him rolling over in agony, then up on his feet barging someone to the floor causes me to cringe, as he often does.
Mandzukic was also very much under the weather. Very little penetration on his part, though did assist a goal.
Pjanic was always going to prove better with a more physical, naturally defensive presence by his side in central midfield. I still believe the 2 in the middle is too flimsy against the elite sides, though fine against average to poor sides. When Mandzukic is sharper he does very much make a midfield 3 at times…
Other than Dybala and Pjanic, the side is literally all over the place in terms of form, cohesion and confidence. Matuidi has also looked very consistent and will improve further with more games.
Decent result, average performance made to look more impressive by the genius of a player fast becoming our bandiera…
I agree with your point on Stephan, he has been better than Barzagli and MDS in the RB position, too much criticism of him, and Allegri doesn’t like him for some reason!
In General I guess Dybala and Pjanic are our best performers, and Dybala’s deadly brilliance is masking some of our issues for now, we have both defensive and offensive ones!
I am glad to find others, seldom few, who see what I see, in that Stephan has weakened, but is nowhere near as woeful as many suggest, especially in comparison to our other options there. I feel it is a mistake to have left him out the CL squad. Yet we should be okay…
I somehow tie into my head the strange roar for Spinazzola, which made no sense to me at the time and I believe would have weakened us considerably, for whilst he was quite good for Atalanta last season in a much more LM role, that is not where we had planned for him to play, and he seems too lightweight to play at LB. I do not believe Asamoah is amazing, but he can defend and does offer a little going forward. I prefer that for a LB than someone who offers more going forward but is flimsy in the defensive duties…
You are spot on with Dybala masking our other issues, but they will continue – as I hope DYbala does in turn – until we find some balance, which we are no way near at CB, RB, LM, RM…We return to the established 4-2-3-1 which is fine against Sassuolo and Genoa but against stronger opponents, less valuable. I am not a fan of the midfield duet. See few teams operating at a high level with the same. It should be a 3. And my hope is that Bentancur is given more chances, with Matuidi and Pjanic also centrally based. The rest of the side can work itself out. But we very much need that solidity in central midfield…
” I am not a fan of the midfield duet. See few teams operating at a high level with the same. It should be a 3.”
100% agree, midfield, midfield, midfield, … I strongly agree that’s where the battle is won or lost! Maybe I should spend some times and write later, why I do think the true modern footballing dynasties are built on fantastic midfields, not defence! But now I have to go back to my work and go back to the world of numerical simulations! 😀
I don’t pay attention to anything other than my own two eyes comrade – I think Stephan has declined and while i’ll never insult the man or make accusations about his commitment as others tend to, I think he warrants criticism at the moment because he is prone to switching off at moments. That could be down to the inevitable decline in pace and fitness or something else altogether.
The same applies to Cuadrado in some regards – there are those that attack him relentlessly and fail to see the good that he offers (like the assist for Dybala), preferring instead to round on him at every opportunity, despite the fact that his pressing high up, his running at defenders, was giving young Dybala more space to operate in. I think Sandro took a step on his woeful previous two showings and warranted praise for an improved game. He has a way to go yet but i’m not worried as i suspect every player will improve as the season progresses.
Players are judged differently by different people – I try and keep the praise and the criticism in check so as to maintain a good balance.
You probably have a point, my friend, in that perhaps I am a little blinkered and concrete in my own opinion of Juan…yet I have been stunned, mainly on that twitter horror-show, the widespread condemnation of a player who still fares well and captains the Swiss, and has thus far been fine for us, our best option, and played in all our victories. My angst is not intended to narrow or focus in your direction, more the multitude of those with eyes which see the world through tweets and likes and retweets…and yes, its when I find the allegations of agitating for a move to Inter and refusing to leave, when I find myself becoming bothered. Yet its futile…as you have suggested many times!
I do praise Juan when he does well, and for good or ill he is our strongest current RM. Similar story to Lichsteiner really…I would be excited to have a fully sharp and confident De Sciglio there, same can be said of Howedes. There is impatience abounding. WHich with some will translate to the players going berserk when they get the chance such as the horrific challenge by Freddy last weekend. What the hell was he thinking?
I am probably found somewhere close to your own earlier stated absence of great hope, in regards to the team this season. SO much is changing, or needs to change, it will be prickly.
Sandro yes…a strange case. Is it fitness that has been holding him back? I am unsure. His form has stuck out as I have found him immensely consistent since he joined us and hit the ground running. Strength to strength. A brief dip is understandable.
When Howedes comes in, what defense lineup we want to see?
No idea how quickly he will find his feet. Presently, I remain unsure of chiellini (mainly in terms of fitness but also lack of leadership when it’s needed) and much more so of barzagli (speed is now sloth) and benatia for he is slow and mainly a physical block not an agile great reader of the game at the back.
Our defence often looks dumbstruck…which is a worry.
Only rugani seems consistently decent and he needs experience around him that can be trusted. Perhaps then, howedes, is the man to bring the experience and leadership in the middle.
Still assume that de sciglio was brought in to be main RB.
i think he might play at RB as opposed to in the centre where we have cover – De Sciglio is out for a month and there’s no Lichtsteiner in the CL – makes sense to get Benni at RB
Isnt Lirola a Juveplayer?
Is he back next summer?
Yes we own him. Loan deal ends next summer…
Thanks mate,
He will join us?
You would have to ask Max in May…I would suggest that if Howedes or De Sciglio had by that point proven themselves as a first choice RB, Stephan will certainly depart and Lirola will come in. Yet it might turn out that De Sciglio and Howedes become the RB options, which means that Lirola could be sold or loaned yet again, or sold with an option to purchase him…
yeap guess youre right, its a good week ahead of us. first florence,then against Belotti and then against the greeks.
hopefully with Höwedes………….