PLAYER RATINGS: BOLOGNA 1-4 JUVENTUS
What a final day in Serie A. Juventus clenched the final Champions League spot in the most unlikely of ways. All eyes were on Atalanta - Milan, watching for the chance that the runners up in the Coppa Italia would take down Milan to help Juventus gain eligibility for the Champions League. But in the end it was Hellas Verona that played spoiler for Aurelio De Laurentiis and the Detroit of Italy, drawing 1-1, sending The Old Lady out of the clutches of the Europa League. Epitomizing the saying: Fino Alla Fine!
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 - 6
Tek was put to work early having to come up with a save on De Silvestri in the 4’. Szczesny made a confident save on a straight on shot by Schouten in the 23’. Tek collected another direct shot by Vignato to retain a clean sheet in the 56’. Szczesny contributed one assist, three saves, one key pass, and five accurate long balls.
Juan Cuadrado - 6.5
For the most part, Cuadrado played around delivering crosses across the pitch to attempt to create something for his teammates, but was less effective than he is when positioned in the midfield. Cuadrado contributed one clearance, one blocked shot, one interception, two ground duels won, one aerial duel won, four key passes, two big chances created, and two successful dribbles.
Matthijs De Ligt - 6
The Dutch defender played his usual part in a defense that held Bologna scoreless in the first half, but rarely was the defense seriously challenged by the rossoblu. De Ligt contributed one clearance, one interception, one ground duel won, and one accurate long ball. Matthijs De Ligt was substituted off for Leonardo Bonucci at halftime.
Giorgio Chiellini - 6
The Italian veteran delivered a skillful deflection in the 32’ that stopped a solid shot on goal by the Bologna attack. Chiellini captained a Juventus defense that was less than challenged by the Bologna attack for a majority of the first half. Chiellini contributed one blocked shot and three accurate long balls. Chiellini was substituted off for Arthur in the 58’.
Alex Sandro - 5.5
Sandro delivered potentially the least memorable performance on the pitch today, but that says very little as overall it was a day for celebration. Sandro contributed three clearances, three interceptions, one ground duel won, and one successful dribble.
Dejan Kulusevski - 6.5
The Swede saved possession early in the match that led to the pass to Rabiot in the 6’ setting up the chain of events that opened up scoring for the good guys. Kulusevski delivered another great pass to Rabiot in the 45’ that led to the French player scoring the third goal of the match for Juventus.