Ranking and Grading Juventus Players on UCL Group Stage Performances
After last year’s disappointing Champions League exit, qualification to the knockout stages appeared to be the minimum requirement for Juventus this term.
Following a poor start to the campaign—including losses to Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos—the Bianconeri made the task more difficult than necessary, but have eventually achieved their aim.
A 0-0 draw with the Spanish champions—discussed in depth here—ensured they will take their place in the last 16 of the competition, a huge boost to both the financial power of the club and their prestige on the continent.
Over the following pages, the performances of each player has been analysed in detail, with a grade given for their impact upon the results. The squad is ranked using those marks, showing just who has delivered for La Madama when the spotlight has been at its brightest.
Squad Players Not Receiving Grades
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Juventus submitted a 26-man Champions League squad to UEFA in September—per the club’s official website—but a number of those players failed to feature at all in the six Group stage 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 (seven minutes played) and Romulo (one minute) only having very limited appearances, they too have been omitted from this ranking.
17. Arturo Vidal
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The form and fitness of Arturo Vidal have been cause for concern all season, and his Champions League displays encapsulated that perfectly. Throughout the six games in Group A, the Chilean has lacked the sharpness and intensity that have been his hallmarks since arriving in Turin three years ago.
He leads the team in tackles with 3.6 per game, but he has yet to make a telling contribution offensively. Juventus will need much more in the latter stages.
Grade: E
16. Andrea Pirlo
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Like Vidal, Andrea Pirlo has struggled to find his best form in 2014-15, turning in a stunning display in the Turin derby—a performance discussed in depth here—but otherwise failing to live up to his usual high standards.
His usually impressive passing has been comparatively poor in the Champions League, and he is caught on the ball far too often, dispossessed an average of 1.5 times per game. As with a number of other key players, Pirlo will need to contribute much more when the knockout stage begins if Juventus are to progress further.
Grade: E
15. Giorgio Chiellini
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Perhaps the most frustrating member of the squad this term, Giorgio Chiellini does not have the same excuses as Pirlo and Vidal for his lack of form. A veteran of the side, he has simply failed to deliver on the European stage, and the Bianconeri have struggled as a result, unable to rely on his usually solid displays.
No fewer than six players have made more tackles per game than Chiellini, the 30-year-old looking clumsy and cynical rather than dependable and robust. He would be ranked lower were it not for the fact that the two midfielders below him have been even more disappointing.
Grade: E
14. Simone Padoin
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Before being pressed into service as an emergency left-back against Malmo, Simone Padoin had played just 19 minutes in the first four Champions League fixtures.
Having impressed in Serie A in that same role, he was poor in that match and offered little to the Bianconeri attack, struggling to contribute during a laboured victory.
Grade: D
13. Angelo Ogbonna
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Like Padoin, Angelo Ogbonna has stepped into an injury-hit defence, filling a number of roles very well in domestic action.
However, despite acquitting himself well in Serie A, he featured in just one of Juve’s Champions League group games, playing in an unfamiliar role on the right of the back three.
As Juventus struggled against Olympiakos, he was taken off after just 76 minutes of action, failing to make a single tackle and completing just 74.5 per cent of his passes.
Grade: D
12. Claudio Marchisio
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Claudio Marchisio had looked relatively poor in the first four games, but improved markedly against Malmo.
Arguably Juve's most incisive player, he took a team-high five shots and was unfortunate not to get his name onto the scoresheet.
He also made two tackles and two interceptions, while his excellent pass created the opening goal for Fernando Llorente. Marchisio was absent against Atletico Madrid in the final game due to illness.
Grade: D
11. Leonardo Bonucci
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It has been a strange season for Leonardo Bonucci, another who has turned in some excellent Serie A performances only to struggle in the Champions League. Yet he has coped admirably with a constantly changing lineup around him and is arguably the rock upon which the defence is built this term.
An average level of contribution, however that still equates to being markedly better than an all-too-high number of his team-mates.
Grade: C
10. Patrice Evra
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It has somehow become commonplace to pin Juve’s defensive issues on Patrice Evra, yet closer analysis shows he is simply not the problem. Had the likes of Bonucci and Chiellini delivered, the Frenchman would have been allowed a much more tranquil introduction to life in Turin.
The former Manchester United defender has actually performed well in the Champions League, averaging 2.3 tackles, one interception and four clearances in three appearances.
Grade: C
9. Alvaro Morata
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Alvaro Morata has probably deserved more playing time in the Champions League, featuring for just 178 minutes in five appearances. That is largely due to the impact Fernando Llorente has had in European action, the elder striker outshining his young compatriot.
Yet to score in the competition, Morata will struggle to find a better opportunity than the one he rattled against the crossbar against Malmo in the penultimate game.
Grade: C
8. Kwadwo Asamoah
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Kwadwo Asamoah recently underwent knee surgery, the injury effectively ruling him out for three months and forcing him to miss January’s African Cup of Nations.
His versatility has already been sorely missed by Juventus, the Ghanaian having been deployed as a wing-back, a midfielder and an orthodox full-back this term.
A vital member of the squad, he did well in each role, providing balance and width to the attack while never overlooking his defensive responsibility. His passing needs to improve, but he contributed one assist and averaged two tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game in the Champions League.
Grade: C
7. Roberto Pereyra
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Having featured for just 41 minutes across the opening five games, Claudio Marchisio’s absence prompted Massimiliano Allegri to hand Roberto Pereyra a starting spot against Atletico Madrid.
He delivered once again, adding to a string of impressive performances discussed in detail here.
Grade: C
6. Fernando Llorente
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Unlike many of the other veteran players in the squad, Fernando Llorente has lifted his performances when faced with a Champions League opponent.
The Spanish striker netted against Malmo before a match-winning display against Olympiakos, where his introduction from the bench transformed the fortunes of the Bianconeri.
He will need to become more of a scoring threat as the competition continues, but his hold up play has been an invaluable asset thus far.
Grade: C
5. Martin Caceres
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In the early part of this season, Martin Caceres was arguably the most impressive defender at Juventus. His superb performances held the back line together when others were underperforming, and his form was analysed in depth in this column.
However, he suffered a thigh injury in October and featured in just two Champions League fixtures as a result. Playing very well in both, WhoScored shows he made more tackles (two compared to 1.5) and passes (70.5 up from 41.8) than in his early Serie A appearances, elevating his game when the Bianconeri needed him most.
Grade: B
4. Gigi Buffon
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After a rare error cost Juventus dearly in the first meeting with Olympiakos, Gigi Buffon has returned to his imperious best. The club captain performed admirably in the other five matches, leading his side well despite the poor form of those around him.
Statistics from ESPN show the 36-year-old has made 16 saves and kept three clean sheets, making some excellent stops to deny what appeared to be certain goals.
Grade: B
3. Stephan Lichtsteiner
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In an injury-hit and subpar defence, the dependable form of Stephan Lichtsteiner has been the one constant that Allegri has been able to rely on.
He has not contributed to the attack the way he has in Serie A and has yet to record a goal or an assist, but the Champions League has seen his defensive qualities come to the fore.
Averaging 1.7 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game, Lichtsteiner has rarely been caught out of position or allowed an opponent to pass him. Controlling the flank, he remains a regular outlet when Juventus are in possession and should be proud of his displays to date.
Grade: B
2. Paul Pogba
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After pledging his future to Juventus as he signed a new contract in October, Paul Pogba has continued to deliver on the field.
His excellent form in Serie A has carried over to the Champions League, netting his first goal in the competition as he celebrated his 100th appearance for the club against Olympiakos.
That he sits so high on this list is testament to the huge strides he has made over the last 18 months, constantly improving and making an impact upon Juve’s play.
Grade: A
1. Carlos Tevez
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What more can be said of Carlos Tevez and his importance to Juventus? The Argentinian striker netted three of Juve’s six Group A goals, lifting them into the knockout rounds.
His infectious drive and determination sets the example his team-mates cannot help but follow, with the likes of Pogba and Pereyra notably following his lead.
The Bianconeri will need their star forward to continue in the same rich vein of form if they are to progress deeper in the competition.
Grade: A
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com unless otherwise stated
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