Juventus looked dominant as they brushed aside 2-0 Udinese with goals from Rodrigo Bentancur and Mario Mandzukic.
Juventus Player Ratings
Wojciech Szczęsny: Made two very routine saves and looked largely untroubled for the entirety of the game as Juve dominated from the start. 6.5/10
Leonardo Bonucci: Excellent distribution from the back, foot perfect positioning, two good interceptions and he had the measure of Lasagna throughout the game. 7.0/10
Giorgio Chiellini: Typically Chiellini-esque performance – Towering at the back, allowed no space at all and made four vital interceptions. 7.0/10
Joao Cancelo: I’m fast running out of superlatives for the Portuguese full-back. He created space, had the beating Samir all night and delivered a perfectly weighted cross to open the scoring. His defensive duties still need to be worked on but watching him improve each game is a joy to behold. Should have had a late goal, but for Scuffet’s heroics, tipping the ball onto the post. 8.5/10
Alex Sandro: An excellent defensive game – Made a vital clearance off the line, four interceptions and six tackles, all of which he completed. While his play in the attacking phase sometimes needs a little more polishing, he has come on leaps and bounds when Juve are under pressure. 7.5/10
Midfield
Rodrigo Bentancur: A strong display from the youngster who capped off the night with a brilliantly taken header to open the scoring. His passing game is improving as is his timing with his tackles and his overall play in the centre of the pitch. 7.0/10
Miralem Pjanic: His passing game was good as always, had a good effort tipped onto the bar but he switched off on occasion, looked a little leggy and gave away the ball once or twice. 6.5/10
Blaise Matuidi: A good first half, passing on point, but he looked a little passive at times and was replaced with Emre Can for the second half. 6.0/10
Attack
Paulo Dybala: Not nearly as effective when playing in attack but his positional play was good, not least in the build up to Bentancur’s goal. Had a half chance to score himself, played some nice passes with Mandzukic and Ronaldo and even got stuck in with the defensive duties. 6.5/10
Cristiano Ronaldo: Seven shots, three on target, one of those being the excellent second goal to put the result beyond doubt. Tested Scuffet throughout and could easily have ended the night with a double. 8.0/10
Mario Mandzukic: Had a really good chance to score from Cancelo’s brilliant cut-back but was denied brilliantly by Scuffet. His positioning in the box caused the Udinese defence all kinds of problems and it was his holding up the ball that helped lay the ball on plate for Ronaldo to double Juve’s lead. Excellent. 7.5/10
Substitutes
Emre Can: Another bright display from the midfielder who offers Juve something more at both ends of the pitch. 6.5/10
Federico Bernardeschi: Yet another excellent cameo showing. Linked really well with Ronaldo and was unlucky not to score a third Juve goal. 6.5/10
Andrea Barzagli: A late cameo showing. N/A
