Ranking and Grading Juventus' Players on Their Champions League Performances
While the last three years have seen Juventus sweep all before them in Italy, their forays into continental action have been much less impressive. Their return to the Champions League in 2012-13 saw them reach the quarter-finals and be handed a 4-0 lesson by Bayern Munich, which they followed up with a humiliating group stage exit last season.
Their performances in Europe’s elite competition were the one doubt over the quality of Antonio Conte’s otherwise impressive side, and that has continued this term. Once again sitting alone atop the Serie A standings, the Bianconeri have already been beaten by Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos in Group A.
They overcame the latter 3-2 in Turin this week, in an encounter filled with attacking intent but defensive errors that have typified their midweek displays. With a win over Malmo in the opening tie, La Madama now sit in second place behind the Spanish champions, in a good position to secure passage to the knockout stages.
Over the following pages, each member of the squad has been graded solely on their Champions League performances, looking at their displays across the four games to date. Then, using only those contributions, each has been ranked against their team-mates in order of their importance to the club in Europe’s elite competition.
Squad Players Not Receiving Grades
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Of the 26-man squad submitted to UEFA in September, per the club’s official website, a number of players have failed to feature in the opening four games. As such there is no grade for Andrea Barzagli, Kingsley Coman, Luca Marrone, Federico Mattiello, Simone Pepe, Rubinho or Marco Storari on this list.
In addition, with Sebastian Giovinco (7 minutes played), Simone Padoin (19 minutes) Roberto Pereyra (34 minutes) and Romulo (1 minute) all featuring in only limited appearances, they too have been omitted from the scoring.
15. Leonardo Bonucci
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Although the men around him have constantly changed, Leonardo Bonucci is another player who has stumbled when stepping into European competition. The defender has been an ever-present for Juventus, but he has been guilty of a number of costly errors, switching off just when the stakes are highest.
Who Scored shows he has averaged just 0.3 tackles and 1.0 interceptions in the Champions League, where his number of passes has dropped from 61 in Serie A to just 49.8 per game. Poor so far, he needs to improve quickly if he is to help rather than hinder the team’s hopes of progressing.
Grade: E
14. Angelo Ogbonna
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While his appearances this term have been much-improved, Angelo Ogbonna managed to feature in just one of Juve’s first four Champions League games. Playing in an unfamiliar role on the right of the back three, he struggled against Olympiakos and was taken off as Massimiliano Allegri sought to find a way back into the match.
In 76 minutes of action, Ogbonna has failed to make a single tackle and completed just 74.5 per cent of his passes.
Grade: E
13. Arturo Vidal
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Clearly hampered by the knee and thigh injuries which ruined his pre-season preparation, Arturo Vidal has not been at his best in 2014-15. As such, his form in the Champions League has suffered, the Chilean midfielder simply unable to drive the team forward as he has in the past.
A missed penalty against Olympiakos only added to his woes, the 27-year-old yet to register a goal or an assist in Europe this term. His 4.7 tackles per game are a team high, but the Bianconeri need so much more from the man known as “King Arturo.”
Grade: D
12. Giorgio Chiellini
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Usually a solid and reliable defender, Giorgio Chiellini has been uncharacteristically shaky in the Champions League this term. The 30-year-old was poor against Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos, surprisingly caught out by attacking players he would normally marshal comfortably.
He must hope to improve, the Bianconeri relying on his ability to shut out opponents as they seek a place in the knockout stages
Grade: D
11. Claudio Marchisio
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A Turin-native, few players represent Juventus with more pride than Claudio Marchisio, yet he too has laboured in Europe this term.
Averaging 2.5 tackles and 70.3 passes per game in Serie A, Who Scored shows those numbers fall to just 0.3 and 45.8 respectively in his four Champions League appearances.
Grade: D
10. Andrea Pirlo
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Andrea Pirlo’s injury problems have limited him to just two appearances in the Champions League this term, featuring in both ties against Olympiakos. In the first, he struggled and was directly responsible for Pajtim Kasami’s match-winning goal, as he gave the ball away cheaply in a dangerous area.
A stunning free-kick goal in Turin went some way towards making amends, however, turning in a typically immaculate performance as he completed 91 passes at a 91.2 per cent completion rate.
Allegri knows that with Pirlo showing such rich form in his 100th game in the competition, Juventus have a key player to guide them in the two remaining fixtures.
Grade: C
9. Patrice Evra
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Before he was ruled out for a month with a thigh strain, per a report on the official Juventus website, Patrice Evra had split playing time on the left with Kwadwo Asamoah. With each providing a different style, Allegri was able to select the wing-back best suited to a particular fixture and opponent.
The former Manchester United man made two appearances before his knock, against Malmo and Atletico Madrid. He averaged 2.5 tackles, one interception and four clearances in those games, looking solid in defence and contributing well when he pressed forward.
Grade: C
8. Fernando Llorente
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As he has in Serie A, Fernando Llorente has looked short of confidence in the Champions League this term, only discovering his best form against Olympiakos in Turin this week. Undoubtedly the match-winner there, the Basque striker forced an equaliser before having a hand in creating the vital third goal.
He has won an average of 3.7 aerial duels, raising his average from 2.1 in league games according to Who Scored, and no Juventus player has been fouled more in the competition.
While those contributions are important, he needs to deliver in front of goal much more regularly.
Grade: C
7. Kwadwo Asamoah
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As Allegri has searched for a solution to both Juve’s injury problems and lack of cutting edge, Kwadwo Asamoah’s versatility has come to the fore.
The Ghanaian has featured as a wing-back, a midfielder and as an orthodox full-back already this term, helping the coach wherever he was needed.
He has done well in each role, providing solid defensive cover while bursting powerfully forward, adding an assist to his averages of 1.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game.
His final ball is occasionally lacking, but he has been a vital member of the squad, able to adapt to numerous situations.
Grade: C
6. Paul Pogba
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Paul Pogba reached a milestone against Olympiakos, celebrating his 100th game for Juventus with a match-winning goal. It was his first in the Champions League, hopefully signalling a return to form for another man who has struggled to show his usual standard this term.
Averaging 2.5 tackles and 0.5 interceptions in the four games, the 21-year-old has yet to transfer his excellent displays in Serie A into Europe, but he will surely do so as he matures.
Grade: C
5. Stephan Lichtsteiner
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No player has suffered from Juve’s injury problems as badly as Stephan Lichtsteiner, clearly fatigued as Allegri has been unable to properly rest him. Given the all-action style of the Swiss defender, it is no surprise to see his performances hampered as a result.
The 30-year-old has played every minute of the club’s Champions League campaign thus far, creating a steady stream of chances from the right flank. Many have been squandered, while he wasted a couple of great opportunities to score himself against Malmo when his runs into the box went unchecked.
Grade: C
4. Alvaro Morata
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Recent weeks have seen Alvaro Morata stake a claim for a place in the starting XI, his direct style earning him the nod over Fernando Llorente. His compatriot has struggled in front of goal, with the younger man’s pace and trickery seeing him rightly handed greater opportunities.
After scoring against Empoli at the weekend, he again lined up alongside Carlos Tevez against Olympiakos, making his fourth appearance in the competition for Juve.
He has transformed the Bianconeri attack, offering a style the team needs in Europe and that the majority of his team-mates simply do not possess.
Grade: B
3. Gianluigi Buffon
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A rare error against Olympiakos led to the Greek side scoring in Turin, but otherwise Gigi Buffon has been at his best this term. He may have only one clean sheet to his name in the Champions League, but that is certainly due to poor defending ahead of him rather than any fault of the club captain.
Stats from the ESPN website show he has made eight saves in four appearances, notably denying a number of excellent chances away to Olympiakos.
Grade: B
2. Carlos Tevez
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The biggest boost for Juventus in the Champions League this term was undoubtedly the end of Carlos Tevez’s much-publicised goal drought. Netting twice against Malmo, the Argentinian ended a barren run which stretched back almost five years, his last strike coming when he was still a Manchester United player.
While he has yet to net again since that encounter, it has not hindered his impact, always the most threatening Bianconeri forward on display.
Grade: B
1. Martin Caceres
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Perhaps Juve’s finest defender so far this term, Martin Caceres has spent most of 2014 proving he deserves a permanent place in the Bianconeri starting XI.
His quality was analysed in depth in this column, and the Uruguayan has been sorely missed since injuring his thigh in early October.
Unlike Juventus in general, Caceres’ performances improved in the Champions League, surpassing the high standards he had set domestically. While he was fortunate not to score an own goal away to Atletico Madrid, Who Scored shows the 27-year-old made more tackles (2.5 compared to 1.5) and passes (70.5 up from 41.8) when entering the continental competition.
He also won far more aerial duels, averaging three per game compared to just 0.5 in Serie A, clearly elevating his game when the pressure was greatest.
Grade: A
All statistics have been taken from WhoScored.com unless otherwise stated.
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