Cagliari vs. Juventus: Former Manchester United Man Patrice Evra Quietly Shines

Juventus travelled to Sardinia on Thursday evening, visiting Cagliari's Stadio Sant'Elia for their final league game of 2014.

With the Italian Super Cup in Doha on Monday, the game presented a difficult balancing act for Massimiliano Allegri and the Bianconeri.

Having dropped points against Sampdoria at the weekend, the coach urged his players to "get back to winning ways by turning in a good performance" at his pre-match press conference per the club's official website.

Allegri also promised reporters he would "pick the best possible starting line-up," noting that Zdenek Zeman's Rossoblu "are a difficult side who create a lot of opportunities." A surprisingly defensive approach from the Cagliari coach was shredded in a superb opening 15 minutes from the visitors.

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Goals from Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal made the game comfortable for the reigning Italian champions, and the return to form by the latter of that pair was a welcome sight. As discussed here, the Chilean has struggled so far this season, but against Cagliari, he was once again near his effervescent best.

A third goal from Fernando Llorente shortly after half-time all but sealed the points, Luca Rossettini's header little more than a consolation for the home side.

Despite Leonardo Bonucci being suspended, the result was still built on a strong defensive showing, with Angelo Ogbonna's performance in central defence deserving special mention.

The Cassino native controlled Victor Ibarbo comfortably, his commanding display never allowing the Colombian striker a chance to trouble Gigi Buffon's goal.

The victory ensured Juventus would end the year atop the Serie A standings, giving them a four-point lead over nearest rivals Roma after 16 games.

If Ogbonna shone once again, another Bianconeri defender quietly turned in a solid display alongside him, Patrice Evra getting little recognition for his impact since arriving from Manchester United in the summer.

Unlike some of the more high-profile players to move from the Premier League to the peninsula, the Frenchman has settled quickly in Turin and established himself as an important member of the squad.

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As the likes of Fernando Torres, Ashley Cole and Nemanja Vidic have struggled to adapt, the 33-year-old has made a smooth transition back into Italian football.

Some 16 years ago, a young Evra spent a week on trial with Juve's cross-town rivals Torino before moving on to Marsala and Monza, an experience that has clearly helped him acclimatise.

Despite scoring his first goal for the club in Sunday's draw with Sampdoria, he told reporters that dropping points was "not good enough," per Goal.com. His display against Cagliari ensured there would be no repeat, leading by example to log three tackles, five interceptions and two blocked shots according to WhoScored.com.

It was a continuation of his consistent contributions, ones made even more vital following Kwadwo Asamoah's knee injury. With the club's official website ruling the Ghanaian out for three to four months after surgery, Evra is the only recognised left-back available to Allegri, and he has—despite occasional errors—been reliable when called upon.

With Who Scored showing he has averaged 2.3 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 2.9 clearances per game in his 11 appearances to date, he has also helped balance a side previously lacking an outlet on the left.

Where Stephan Lichtsteiner has provided a steady stream of assists from the opposite flank, Juve can now depend on Evra—creating 2.1 scoring chances per game—in the same manner.

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Despite that, his displays were criticised by TuttoSport earlier this month, the Turin-based newspaper not holding back in their assessment (link in Italian) of his play. "The whole of Juve is waiting for him," they declared, "no one can believe that this is the real Evra. He knows he has to give more."

Yet looking beyond the hyperbole and the need to apportion blame for every goal conceded, the defender's impact has gone beyond merely his on-field contribution.

Both Paul Pogba and Kingsley Coman have noted the influence the arrival of "Uncle Pat" has had upon them (h/t Football Italia).

All those factors combine to make a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Yahoo Sport) suggesting an imminent return to Old Trafford somewhat difficult to believe.

As both a veteran presence passing on his experience to his young compatriots and a more-than-competent left-back, Patrice Evra has become an important figure at Juventus.