Warhorse Giorgio Chiellini a pure thoroughbred as he gets an 8 in our Juventus ratings

Matt Jones - Editor 01:54 08/12/2018
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  • Mario Mandzukic

    They say not everything is black and white, but it certainly seems that way in Serie A as Juventus tightened their grip on the Scudetto with a sixth straight win in Serie A, toppling Inter Milan in Tuirin.

    Mario Mandzukic was the hero of the Derby d’Italia, stooping to head in the only goal in the 66th minute, getting ahead of his marker to nod in Joao Cancelo’s pin-point cross.

    Inter started positively but Roberto Gagliardini and Matteo Politano wasted inviting opportunities to open the scoring. Juve defended stoutly and once they had their goal, there seemed an inevitability to the result.

    It’s 15 games without defeat for Max Allegri’s side this season as they effectively ended the third-placed Nerazzurri’s title hopes – Luciano Spaletti’s side trail the league leaders by 14 points – as their eighth successive league win already looms large.

    Here we rate the Juve players.

    Georgio Chiellini was at his commanding best against Inter.

    Giorgio Chiellini was at his commanding best against Inter.

    JUVENTUS (4-3-3)

    Wojciech Szczesny – 6: Relatively untroubled, reacting well to collect the rebound after Gagliardini had beaten him but hit the post. Didn’t put a glove wrong.

    Joao Cancelo – 8: Switched to the right from his usual left position, but cross for the opener came from the left, indicating his thirst for getting forward. Put on a plate for Mandzukic. Lively throughout, with three key passes and three dribbles leading Juve.

    Leonardo Bonucci – 6: Not as commanding as his colleague, but recovered to block well from Politano after Matuidi’s mistake.

    Giorgio Chiellini – 8: The old warhorse keeps galloping, approaching 500 games in his 14th season with the club. Had a few sights of goal and typically flung himself in the way of everything Inter could muster.

    Mattia De Sciglio – 7: Thirst was defensive work doesn’t hinder his ability to get forward and after a lively start from Inter, he was able to contribute in attack, his crosses always dangerous.

    Rodrigo Bentancur – 7: Making himself at home in the Bianconeri engine room. Met Dybala’s centre with the side of his foot, vital intervention from Brozovic prevented the hosts taking the lead.

    Miralem Pjanic – 6: Picked up early yellow card for felling Mario as Inter started brightly, but his class began to tell as the game wore on. Raking ball to Cancelo set up the opening goal.

    Blaise Matuidi – 6: Continues to prove himself an elite operator with a performance full of bite and boldness in attack. Horrendous pass across goal nearly gifted Inter a goal.

    Paulo Dybala – 7: Met Ronaldo’s cross but headed over. Skied a good chance well over in the second period, rightly putting his head in his hands. In-between was excellent with the ball, his crosses nearly always found a team-mate. Three key passes.

    Cristiano Ronaldo – 6: Always looked to go at Inter’s defenders and was bright early on. But as he kept Skriniar and Miranda occupied, Dybala and Mandzukic were allowed to exert their influence.

    Mario Mandzukic – 7: As ever, relished the physical battle, typified as he simply wanted the ball more than Asamoah for the opening goal, stooping for a trademark poachers’ header. His 92 per cent pass accuracy led his side.

    SUBS:

    Douglas Costa – 6: Replaced Dybala, with Allegri looking for the Brazilian speedster to utilise his pace against a tiring defence.

    Emre Can N/A: Brought on to maintain stability with Juve in the driving seat and Inter running out of ideas.

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