PLAYER RATINGS: GENOA 1-3 VS JUVENTUS.
The Bianconeri had hoped to build on its success as they resumed league play in Italy following a dominant performance in the Champions League group play against Barcelona on Tuesday. A first half appeared to show a regression to the mean as Juventus struggled to capitalize in a period where they controlled the time of possession. The nine-time defending champions turned it around in the second half though thanks to a Paulo Dybala score combined with some well-timed Ronaldo penalties. The victory keeps the club in the scudetto hunt with 23 points, but will need help from other Serie A clubs to stall a surging AC Milan.
Notice: All ratings are calculated through a stringent process utilizing statistics and the eye test called My Opinion and are most certainly incorrect.
Starters
Wojciech Szczesny - 5
Tek did not really have much to do in this game as almost all of the first half and a majority of the second the ball remained in Juventus’ possession. Though, the first (of only three total for Genoa) shot was taken by Stefano Staturo and scored without much of an impediment from the Polish keeper. Szczesny accounted for one save and three accurate long balls.
Matthijs De Ligt - 6
One of the anomalies of the season was the play of defensive stalwart Matthijs De Ligt. The Dutch defender was not overtly bad, but the defense showed a chink in the armor during the defensive lapse that allowed for the score by Stefano Sturaro where none of the three could close out. Though chief scapegoat for the score remains Alex Sandro, who was directly responsible for not closing out and clearing on the goalscorer. De Ligt accounted for two clearances, three interceptions, one tackle, three ground duels won, and three accurate long balls. De Ligt was substituted off for Radu Dragusin at the 90’.
Leonardo Bonucci - 6.5
One deflating score in a game can skew the overview on the performance from one position group. And while I write this I observe that the equalizer minutes after Dybala’s goal to open up scoring might have just been that moment. The defense as a whole performed respectfully enough, but the breakdown by all three players in allowing Pellegrini’s cross to reach Sturaro for the tying goal was deflating. As a whole the performance by the defense on that play was compounded by McKennie and Bentancur’s inability to stop the cross before it arrived in the area of the box. Bonucci assisted in arguing with the official in the most Bonucci way possible. Leo Bonucci accounted for one clearance, four interceptions, one tackle, three ground duels won, two aerial duels won, eight accurate long balls, one shot off target, and one successful dribble.
Alex Sandro - 6
Alex Sandro’s performance was a bit of a debate. On one hand his stat sheet reflects respectable enough. On the other he was responsible for the two of the biggest blunders in the game. Minutes after the Paulo Dybala score to take the lead midway through the second half, the Brazilian allowed an egregious error to lead to an equalizer from Stefano Staturo created by Juventus loanee Luca Pellegrini. Sandro added to the misfortune by wasting a possession with an advantage in position by the Juventus side, attempting a shot way off target and above the goal with multiple other Juve attackers in the area in the 85’. Overall Alex Sandro contributed two interceptions, one tackle, two ground duels won, five aerial duels won, one key pass, one accurate cross, five accurate long balls, and one shot off target.
Juan Cuadrado - 7