COPPA ITALIA PLAYER RATINGS: JUVENTUS 0-0 INTER
In a Coppa Italia decisive game that saw Juventus field what can be described as the club’s B+ squad, the Bianconeri held the Inter Milan top squad scoreless for 0-0 draw to propel the Torino side into the Coppa Italia finals on aggregate. It was fairly obvious a few moments into the match that the club was content to play out a defensive struggle and leave the assault on the back burner. The plan was a successful one, thus Juventus will go on to play the victor between Atalanta and Napoli in the final on Wednesday, May 19.
Notice: All ratings are calculated through a stringent process utilizing statistics and the eye test called My Opinion and are most certainly incorrect.
Starters
Gianluigi Buffon - 6.5
It's getting repetitive, that could be said for the last theee decades. The GKOAT stays the GKOAT and did everything he could to keep the Inter attack from breaching goal line. That was successful and apparent early on when the first shot on target from Brozovic was easily collected into Buffon’s arms in the 33’. Buffon contributed three saves, two saves from inside of the box, six accurate long balls, one ground duel won, and one aerial duel won.
Danilo Luiz da Silva - 6.5
The stars of the night were the defensive front as Pirlo’s game plan seemed to be comfortable to relax the attack in favor of using the defense and midfield to stymie any scoring from Lukaku, Hakimi, and the Inter attack. The plan worked in part due to the contributions of the Brazilian. Danilo contributed three clearances, one blocked shot, three interceptions, one tackle, one ground duel won, one aerial duel won, two accurate long balls, and one shot off target.
Merih Demiral - 7.5
The star of the match played to Juventus’ goal to a tee. Demiral shut everything down when he came into contact with it and showed off why he is a huge cog of the future of the Juventus defensive front. Including a huge stop on a Hakimi shot deflecting it away from goal in the 21’. Demiral contributed four clearances, five blocked shots, three interceptions, one aerial duel won, one accurate long ball, and a blocked shot.
Matthijs De Ligt - 7
The Dutchman had a huge clearance in the 38’ after Juventus lost possession (head-scratchingly did not receive a whistle) and the Inter attack looked prime to strike. When the Juventus defense is clicking it is a thing of beauty to watch. And to have the players of De Ligt, Demiral, Chiellini, and even Bonucci together is a blessing. De Ligt contributed six clearances, four interceptions, two tackles, three ground duels won, four aerial duels won, two accurate long balls, and one successful dribble.
Alex Sandro - 6
Perhaps the weakest link of an overall great defensive performance, Sandro had the tough task of working on Hakimi throughout the match and did his best to slow the Inter star down. Unfortunately, to save a goal Sandro was penalized with a yellow card for a tackle on Hakimi in the 24’ that will keep him out of the Coppa Italia final. Sandro contributed two clearances, one blocked shot, two interceptions, three tackles, one error leading to a shot, five ground duels won, five accurate long balls, one shot off target, and one successful dribble.
Juan Cuadrado - 6
The Colombian was moved forward again into the midfield rather than his stints in the defensive area of the field he has played recently. Cuadrado put together a serviceable performance, but failed to come up with a game changing/scoring cross Juventus fans have come so accustomed to as of late. Cuadrado contributed two key passes, one accurate long ball, five successful dribbles, seven ground duels won, and one blocked shot. Cuadrado was substituted off for Giorgio Chiellini in the 82’.