Juve played with 10-men for much of the match but remarkably managed to rout Udinese 6-2 in a stellar performance where Sami Khedira scored his first Juventus hat-trick.
Player Ratings
Defence
Gigi Buffon: A superb display – Had no chance with the opening Udinese goal, but made a world class stop later to keep Juve ahead before denying the home side the lead. Strong in the air, commanding his defence and leading from the back. 6.5/10
Stephan Lichtsteiner: Not his best display and at times, he looked so far off the pace. His passing was pretty poor and he looked to be the weak link in the Juve backline. 5.5/10
Giorgio Chiellini: A good display but he was partially to blame for the Udinese opener, backing off his man and allowing him to steal a march on him. Improved as the game went on and could have scored a goal of his own. Solid. 7.0/10
Daniele Rugani: Stellar. Looked shaky early on and perhaps he could have down better on the first goal, but as the game developed, he stepped up. Scored a brilliant header to restore the lead and played the assist for Juve’s 4th. Strong in the air, made some decisive clearances and never looked in trouble afterwards. 8.0/10
Alex Sandro: Another who seemingly improved as the game went on. Was beaten for pace by De Paul on a few occasions, but he defended with heart and even provided an assist for Pjanic to finish the rout. 7.0/10
Midfield
Miralem Pjanic: Showed, yet again, just what we miss when he’s not on the pitch. Played the conductor role with brilliant passes and kept Juve moving forward, even with 10-men. Took his goal with a beautiful finish. Unstoppable. 7.5/10
Sami Khedira: After some poor displays, he really needed to step up…..and he delivered in the toughest of circumstances. Scored the 2nd Juve goal with a coolly taken header where he timed his run perfectly – A cool finish from inside the box to get Juve’s 4th, before firing past the keeper for the 5th to complete his hat-trick. Sheer brilliance. 9.0/10
Attack
Juan Cuadrado: Excellent work on the right, great passing, much improved with his crosses and a perfectly weighted assist for Juve’s 2nd goal. Tackled hard and did his share of the defensive work. Bravo. 7.0/10
Paulo Dybala: Looked lost at times, struggling to make an impact on the game, despite moving deep to get more time on the ball. A great free-kick delivery for Rugani to head home, but he looked frustrated for much of the match and even more so when substituted. Needs to step up again. 6.5/10
Mario Mandzukic: Started the game with his customary fire and grinta but should have stayed quiet, despite the ref missing a blatant penalty. Should know better. 4.0/10
Gonzalo Higuain: Exceptional, even without a goal to his name. Had his chances to score, hit the woodwork and had a half effort charged down, but it was his sacrifice for the team that really stood out, holding up play, constantly occupying the Udinese defence. Great work. 7.0/10
Substitutes
Douglas Costa: 20 minutes to impress and the fresh legs really worked well. Held on to possession intelligently and proved a real nuisance for the Udinese back-line. 6.0/10
Andrea Barzagli: Patched up the defence with the match coming to a close. N/A
Federico Bernardeschi: Another brief cameo display. N/A
So Sami, but turning up for one match in every 4 or more is not good enough. We still need to get rid of him.
It was away to an Udinese side under Del Neri…where everything seemed to go our way. Make your own luck in such scenes more often than not but…one swallow does not a summer make. Sami has been poor for the last year or so for me. It was that one game in far too many where we made great use of our chances, and had a little luck. We should be routing teams like this more often, as the other elite sides do against just as capable opposition. Yet we are far less prolific in front of goal and haphazard at the back.
Brilliant result, but taken in the context of this season and much of the tail end of last, we remain, very much in transition…or…a squad of highly talented and some very average footballers who Max has trouble getting the best out of on a consistent basis.
Yes, just watched the extended highlights GP, and agreed Udinese were piss poor yet still managed to grab a brace. Khedira got lucky, but not a great commanding performance for me. Pjanic was very good, Mario silly/unlucky and defense still has holes in it.
I’m hoping for two things after the next international break.
1. Italy advance to the WC. 2. We finally have a full squad to choose from.
If injured players like Howedes, Pjaca and Marchisio can be match-for soon, it would allow for the 2nd half of the season renaissance that we’ve seen for basically 3 seasons in a row. Despite not having seen Howedes play since summer 2014, I’m sure he is the best choice for right back in the squad, that’s how I have felt about Lichtsteiner, De Sciglio, and god forbid Sturaro as RB. Rugani has to start consistently, and Costa vs. Mandzukic will be an interesting development.
My ideal XI with a fully fit squad would consist of a 3-man midfield sitting in front of the back line, as we’ve conceded far too many goals this campaign. Marchisio would screen the defence with Matuidi and Pjanic alongside, with Bentancur and Khedira to rotate.
Buffon; Howedes, Rugani, Chiellini, Sandro; Pjanic, Marchisio, Matuidi; Dybala, Higuain, Mandzukic/Costa
I’m desperate to see Berna, MdS, Howedes, Pjaca and Marchisio perform….long time no see..
Jury still out on Sami’s long-term future, but he certainly made an impression on this day, and a guy coming off a lingering injury should get the benefit of the doubt a few games in, particularly when he’s returning to a squad that’s clearly still in transition in midfield and defense. A man down and he arrives at the right spot at the right moment three times, and converts, for a team that has been having a terrible time executing during the bulk of his absence. I guess he’d have had to hit for all 6 for everyone to say “Bravo Sami”. We’re spoiled by the virtually unchallenged dominance of the league for years, and the deep runs in the UCL.
even though many of us remember Moggipoli and the dark years and stigma that lingered. While watching the game I marveled at the 25,000+ in Udine (1/4 of the city’s population) as they stood and chanted for 2 hours in the rain, supporting a team that will struggle immensely just to avoid relegation, while we fret online after a 6-2 shorthanded victory on the road. I’d propose we move forward thinking/hoping that we are now armed with 4 world-class midfielders, that Cuadrado’s recent run of grinta will last, that Dybala will emerge from this recent funk, that Higuain will not only play tough, smart team ball, but also recover his genius for goals, and that help at right back is coming from…..somewhere.
He fails to show up and put in a shift far too often Steve, not only when he’s injured. Countless tines in fact over last two seasons. He’s had his chance, and not made the most of it. Time for him to go, or at least be a 2nd choice start. How many chances does he get? Real Madrid didn’t let him walk on a free for no reason. Perhaps all is becoming clear why they did?
Does anybody else feel that we finally had more quality up front, because Udinese tried to control the game as we were a man down?
Normally, teams park the notorious bus against us but not today, and for us that paid off. Or, was Udinese just that poor?
I think you are on to something there
Costa and Rugani must play more and Lichtsteiner and Sturaro less.
Give Bernadeschi a chance too.
I’m glad Rugani recovered from that terrible pass that led to the first goal we conceded. His poor passing (telegraphed, predictable) may be one of the reasons Allegri isn’t playing him much.
The opposition was poor but we rose above mediocrity on the pitch. The ref was a card dealer. Is it me or Dybala’s finishing has to improve. Khedira has been trying to score goals, he succeeded finally. IMO Berna, Rugani and Costa should be given more playing time. This match can be a turning point as we accelerate towards trophies this season.