Ranking and Grading Juventus' Players on Champions League Performances so Far
Juventus earned another Champions League win on Wednesday, seeing off Malmo, 2-0, in difficult conditions. The Bianconeri overcame the Swedish side thanks to goals from Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez, but they looked sluggish once again when faced with European competition.
Massimiliano Allegri was far from happy with the performance, warning his players they could have once again been punished for the chances they wasted when leading by just a single goal. Speaking to Sport Mediaset shortly after full time, the coach noted similar errors against Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid.
“I was above all angry in the second half that we didn’t score another goal after Llorente’s opener and it was still open after three really clear chances,” Allegri said (h/t Football Italia). “We ran the risk of conceding from a ricochet or a cross into the box. It happened to us in Madrid and Greece, so when we have the chances to score, we have got to take them.”
That display typified the current European campaign for the Bianconeri, who have made hard work of their games but ultimately taken care of business. Over the following pages is a player-by-player analysis of Juve’s Champions League performances, with the squad ranked in terms of those displays.
All statistics are taken from WhoScored.com unless otherwise stated
Squad Players Not Receiving Grades
1 of 17
In September, Juventus submitted a 26-man Champions League squad to UEFA—per the club’s official website—but a number of those players have failed to feature in the opening five 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), Roberto Pereyra (41 minutes) and Romulo (one minute) only having very limited appearances, they too have been omitted from this ranking.
16. Simone Padoin
2 of 17
Having played just 19 minutes during the first four group games, Simone Padoin was pressed into service at left-back away to Malmo. The midfielder has featured there in two league games, performing well and providing a dependable presence in an injury-hit area of the side.
Against the Swedish champions, however, he was positionally poor and offered little to the attack, contributing to the frustration as Juventus laboured to victory.
Grade: E
15. Angelo Ogbonna
3 of 17
With a number of key injuries in defence, Angelo Ogbonna stepped in as a replacement and acquitted himself well in Serie A. However, he has only featured in just one of Juve’s first five Champions League games and was used in an unfamiliar role on the right of the back three.
As Juventus struggled against Olympiacos, 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: E
14. Arturo Vidal
4 of 17
Clearly yet to recover full fitness, Arturo Vidal's performances are well below his best, particularly in the Champions League. The Chilean missed a penalty against Olympiacos, which could yet haunt the Bianconeri should they finish level on points with the Greek champions.
His average of 4.5 tackles per game is a team high and only four players have made more interceptions, but Allegri needs so much more from the influential midfielder.
Grade: D
13. Andrea Pirlo
5 of 17
Andrea Pirlo has made just three appearances so far in the Champions League, turning in some uncharacteristic performances.
In the first match with Olympiacos, he struggled and was directly responsible for Pajtim Kasami’s match-winning goal, giving the ball away cheaply in a dangerous area.
He followed that up with a stunning free-kick against the same opponent, only to look sloppy once again away to Malmo. Cheaply losing the ball on several occasions, he failed to provide the incisive passes that have become his calling card.
Grade: D
12. Leonardo Bonucci
6 of 17
An ever-present in Juve's defence, Leonardo Bonucci has been a solid performer for the Bianconeri this term. He has made some costly errors, while his statistics for tackles, interceptions and completed passes all fall compared to his Serie A averages.
If the club are to advance in the Champions League, it is players like Bonucci who must raise their level of play and rise to the challenge of Europe's elite club competition.
Grade: D
11. Giorgio Chiellini
7 of 17
So often the rock upon which the Juventus defence is built, Giorgio Chiellini has been uncharacteristically shaky in the Champions League.
The 30-year-old was notably poor against Atletico Madrid and Olympiacos, often caught out by players he would normally be expected to comfortably control.
He was better on Wednesday against Malmo, but like so many of his team-mates, he must find his usual high standards if the Bianconeri are to have progress in the competition.
Grade: D
10. Claudio Marchisio
8 of 17
Having looked distinctly average in the first four games, Claudio Marchisio improved markedly against Malmo on Wednesday. The Turin native was arguably Juve's most incisive player, taking 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.
Grade: C
9. Patrice Evra
9 of 17
Having been ruled out for a month with a thigh strain, per a report on the official Juventus website, Patrice Evra has only made two Champions League appearances for the club thus far.
Featuring against Malmo and Atletico Madrid, he averaged 2.5 tackles, one interception and four clearances, looking solid in defence and contributing well when he pressed forward.
Grade: C
8. Alvaro Morata
10 of 17
In Serie A, Alvaro Morata has recently staked a claim for a place in the regular place in the Juventus starting XI, perhaps performing better than Llorente. In the Champions League, however, the latter has been excellent, reducing his compatriot to a bit-part role.
Playing just 178 minutes in five appearances, he has yet to register a goal in European action. He will struggle to get a better opportunity than the one he rattled against the crossbar against Malmo, which was a gilt-edged chance he really should have scored.
Grade: C
7. Kwadwo Asamoah
11 of 17
Another who has been affected by injury recently, Kwadwo Asamoah’s versatility has been sorely missed. Having been deployed as a wing-back, a midfielder and an orthodox full-back already this term, the Ghanaian has proven an increasingly important member of the squad.
He did well in each role, providing power to the attack while never neglecting his defensive duties. His passing needs to improve, but he has contributed one assist and averaged 1.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game.
Grade: C
6. Fernando Llorente
12 of 17
Fernando Llorente netted his first Champions League goal of the season against Malmo, but he was also the match-winning performer against Olympiacos last month. His introduction clearly changed that game, for it was he who an equaliser before creating the goal that sealed the points for the Bianconeri.
His hold up play has been essential in helping the talent-laden Juventus midfield support the attack, and Llorente has proven his worth to the side.
Grade: B
5. Martin Caceres
13 of 17
Martin Caceres began the season in superb form—his impressive performances were analysed in depth in this column. However, he has been out with a thigh injury since October and featured in just two Champions League fixtures as a result, but he played very well in both.
WhoScored.com shows he made more tackles (2.5 compared to 1.5) and passes (70.5 up from 41.8) than in Serie A games, elevating his game when the pressure was at its highest.
Grade: B
4. Gigi Buffon
14 of 17
A rare error cost Juventus against Olympiacos, but Gigi Buffon has otherwise been at his commanding best this term.
He may have just two clean sheets to his name from five appearances, but that is largely down to the problems ahead of him.
Statistics from ESPN show the 36-year-old has made 13 saves, most notably denying a string of excellent chances against the Greek champions. If more of the squad played at a similar level, the Bianconeri's qualification for the knockout stages would've already been guaranteed.
Grade: B
3. Stephan Lichtsteiner
15 of 17
The Malmo away game perhaps highlighted the importance of Stephan Lichtsteiner more than any other this term. With Simone Padoin becoming the third different player to line up on the left, the Switzerland international once again performed admirably on the opposite flank.
While Padoin laboured defensively and failed to contribute in attack, Lichtsteiner was solid and dependable, while always seemingly available as an outlet for his team-mates.
Grade: B
2. Paul Pogba
16 of 17
The last few weeks have been excellent for Paul Pogba, who has celebrated his inclusion on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, per BBC Sport, with some superb performances.
With the official Juventus website recently revealing he has also signed a lucrative contract extension with the club, he has very much been the man of the moment.
That has begun to carry over to the Champions League, in which he celebrated his 100th game for Juve with a match-winning goal against Olympiacos. Playing in all five matches so far, he also added an assist against Malmo on Wednesday. He is currently averaging 2.2 tackles and 0.6 interceptions per game.
Grade: B
1. Carlos Tevez
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No Juventus player has contributed more to the club this term than Carlos Tevez. With nine goals and five assists in 11 Serie A appearances, he has once again led the way domestically for the Bianconeri.
For the first time, however, 2014-15 has seen him finally start to deliver in the Champions League too. While critics will point to the fact all three of his goals so far came against Malmo, the fact he is once again scoring in Europe's elite competition is a plus.
His improved form and confidence provides the team with the belief they can win matches—a vital ingredient in maintaining their new-found form.
Grade: B
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