Player Ratings: Juventus 3 - 0 Dynamo Kiev.
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the starting lineup after being rested for a disastrous Serie A outing against Benevento, that saw the club drop more precious points it could ill afford to spare. Having already clinched a spot in the final 16 of the Champions League, the match against Dynamo Kiev was an opportunity for Pirlo to fine tune the midfield and bolster the attack. Leonardo Bonucci reclaimed his captain’s armband as Juvetus defeated Dynamo Kiev 3-0 in Turin.
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 - 7
What appeared to be a lazy evening for the goalkeeper quickly heated up by the end of the first half as Dynamo Kiev found their groove and began to attack more furiously through the Bianconeri defense. Szczesney had a fantastic clearance save at the 40’ on what appeared to be a sure goal by the club following a complete Juventus defensive breakdown. Szczesney had an additional stop moments later, collecting the ball on a shot on goal at the 42’. A bouncing ball early in the second half was scooped up by the Polish defender and saved from a Dynamo Kiev score at the 48’. Szczesny followed it up with an additional beautiful deflection at the 54’. Tek had one final save at the 90’+1 to seal the goose egg for Dynamo Kiev. I will take a clean sheet any day of the week and appreciate the bianconeri goalkeeper’s efforts.
Merih Demiral - 6
It was a relatively quiet night for the Turkish defender who logged very few statistical data points, but a clean sheet is a clean sheet for any defender. Demiral contributed two clearances, two tackles, three won ground duels, and three won aerial duels. Demiral was subbed off for Radu Dragusin at the 69’.
Leonardo Bonucci - 6
The return of the defensive captain displayed the return of what appeared to be the modern day Juve defensive lineup flanked by Merih Demiral and Matthijs De Ligt. Bonucci was lucky near the end of the first half to not be caught, essentially attempting to put a Dynamo Kiev player in a sleeper hold on a behind the back header attempt. Bonucci accounted for two interceptions, two aerial duels won, one ground duel won, and four accurate long balls in his return to the squad. Bonucci was subbed off for Danilo at the 62’.
Matthijs De Ligt - 7
Stop me if you have heard this before, but De Ligt was the best defender on the field. The Dutch defender accounted for four clearances, four tackles, three interceptions, four ground duels won, one aerial duel won, and six accurate long balls. Never leave us.
Alex Sandro - 7
In the first half Alex Sandro assisted Federico Chiesa to open up scoring by delivering a beautiful cross to the Italian national that he subsequently deflected past the goalkeeper, Bushchan. Sandro then again set up a teammate for what would have been considered an automatic goal at the 29’ for Cristiano Ronaldo that deflected off the crossbar. Sandro contributed one assist, two key passes, one accurate cross, two accurate long balls, six ground duels won, two aerial duels won, two clearances, two interceptions, and two tackles.