PLAYER RATINGS: CAGLIARI 1-3 JUVENTUS
The Bianconeri returned to Serie A play for an away match against the Isolani following a debilitating expulsion from the Champions League. In a shocking turn of events, a Rugani reinforced Cagliari defense was just the medicine required to give up a plethora of early goals to the Cristiano Ronaldo-led attack. The victory and accompanying points continue to be an exercise in futility, so long as Inter continues to find ways to win and refuses to relinquish points to the other clubs in Serie A.
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
The Cagliari was all but anonymous in the first half and the defense was able to rest for the most part. That changed in the second half. In the 57’ Tek finally found the need to break a sweat as a thundering shot on goal was made by Joao Pedro, the Polish keeper made a massive save. But the clean sheet would not remain as Simeone was able to enter the box unmarked and complete the Zappa assisted goal. Szczesny made a save in the 89’ on a deep shot on goal from Pedro. Szczesny contributed three saves, one punch, one save from inside of the box, six accurate long balls, two clearances, and one aerial duel won.
Juan Cuadrado - 6.5
No other player on the team delivers across quite like Juan Cuadrado. Nowhere was that more recognizable than in the first goal of the match as Cuadrado delivered a stunner of a corner to Cristiano Ronaldo to open up the scoring in the 10’. The Columbian delivered another great cross in the 71’ for as good a chance at a second assist as any, but Federico Chiesa came up just short on positioning to get under it. Cuadrado contributed one assist, one clearance, two interceptions, one error that led to a shot, two aerial duels won, one key pass, two accurate crosses, four accurate long balls, and one big chance created. Cuadrado was substituted off for Gianluca Frabotta in the 83’. Juan Cuadrado was penalized with a yellow card in the 18’.
Matthijs De Ligt - 6
The best defensive performer was the Dutch Wall, Matthijs De Ligt. The only true egregious act was during the scoring play by Simeone, the Dutch defender and Chiellini both failed to lock down the central defense and the attacker was able to take the shot unmarked. De Ligtcontributed six clearances, one blocked shot, three interceptions, one ground duel own, three aerial duels won, and three accurate long balls.
Giorgio Chiellini - 6
Chiellini exhibited his defensive greatness in the 28’ when a dangerous Cagliari attack into the box was headed away off the dome of Giorgio before the rival Cagliari striker was able to head it in. Unfortunately, the second half told a little bit different of a story as the central defensive pair of Chiellini and De Ligt both allowed Simeone to enter the box unmarked for the clean sheet-breaking goal in the 61’. Chiellini contributed five clearances, two aerial duels won, and three accurate long balls. Giorgio Chiellini was substituted off for Leonardo Bonucci in the 70’.
Alex Sandro - 5.5
The Brazilian saw little playing time through the first 34’ before being substituted off for Federico Bernardeschi after sustaining an apparent injury. Sandro contributed one interception and one accurate long ball.
Dejan Kulusevski - 5.5
One Kulusevski’s early second-half attempts on the ball in the 55’ saw the Swede dribble the ball down the field, but once he arrived in a range of the box lazily kicked what I suppose you can call a cross into the area devoid of a fellow Juventus attacker. Kulu made another angled pass in the box in the 60’, but Morata was unable to capitalize on the ball. Kulusevski contributed one key pass, two accurate long balls, one big chance created, one shot blocked, three successful dribbles, seven ground duels won, and two tackles.