Juventus 2-0 Chievo

By tdf, January 26, 2015

With Pirlo succumbing to flu, the always dependable Marchisio replaced him as the fulcrum to the side. Morata was rewarded for his recent hints of finding form by starting up top alongside Tevez. Other than which, the only placement of note was Vidal returning to a more centrally focused midfield role as Pereyra found himself behind the front two.

We were dominant as expected in the opening half with several decent chances created. The best of which came from one of several delightful crosses from Caceres. His pacey whipped in ball found the head of Morata who completely misjudged his header, seeing his effort fly tamely wide when it looked easier to hit the target.

Vidal seemed yet again out of sorts and other than a wicked shot from a good angle just inside the box which was well saved by the brilliant Bizarri, his most memorable impact upon the game was a truly terrible dive in the box which was rightly awarded a yellow card by the impressive Davide Massa. Perhaps Vidal needs reminding of Lo Stile Juve, for it was a shameful attempt to win a penalty. When a player of his quality takes the option of a dive rather than collecting the ball in a promising position, eyebrows are sure to be raised.

Chiellini was in fine form, strong as a trojan at the back and going close with several headers from corners, one of which was destined for the top corner until Bizarri came to the rescue of our opponents. Pereyra and Marchisio were also enjoying decent games.

The major problem we were facing was creating clear cut chances in the box and also, beating a goalkeeper in majestic form. How many times have we thought that over the last season or three?

Something special was going to be required to break the deadlock, and the longer the game stayed tied at 0-0 the greater the threat of succumbing to a counter-attack. Our opponents were resolute and very well drilled at the back.

That something special came in the 60^th minute when our mercurial frenchman, Pogba, who had been relatively quiet up until that point in the match, dragged the ball past a defender 25 yards from goal and unleashed a perfect left footed drive which arrowed past the keeper just shy of his near post. The ball did not bounce before hitting the back of the net. Everything about the strike oozed of class.

The goal hardly took the wind out of Chievo’s sails. They continued to stick to the task and if anything, began to play with renewed vigour. Prompting Allegri to replace the tiring Patrice Evra ( ‘uncle pat’ to pogba) with the ultra dependable utility man, Simone Padoin, reverting to our tried and tested 3-5-2 formation.

It took Padoin less than a minute to make his mark as that man again, Paul Pogba, collected the ball centrally spotted the wingback in space, laid the ball off and made inroads into the box. Padoin hit the cross first time, Pogba plucked the ball out of the air with majestic grace and poise, then smashed a volley towards goal, Bizarri parried and Lichsteiner was on hand to smash in the rebound for 2-0.

Whilst Schelletto hit the post late on, the goal would have been nothing more than a very fortunate consolation for Chievo who created nothing else of note throughout the match.

Buffon – 6.5. Made a couple of perfectly executed takes of the ball, other than which had little to do well or poorly.

Bonucci – 6.5. Was strong, decent on the ball and physical as always. One minor error when Chiellini’s pass sold him a little short and he gifted the ball to Chievo in a potentially dangerous position.

Chiellini – 8. Finest form I have seen from King Giorgio for many months. First to every tackle, a threat as set pieces, won every battle, and was a man mountain by every measure. Immense.

Evra- 6. Has adjusted to italian football and proves a consistent performer. More talent on the ball than Asamoah, and comfortable in a back four, yet lacks the stamina and pace of old. Put in some decent balls, then tired in the second half.

Caceres- 7. Life was made harder for him through Vidal’s lack of form, but Martin got forward well, created a couple of great chances with his crossing and proved reliable in defence. It is great to see him back and gaining match fitness.

Marchisio – 7. Whilst he lacks (as do most players) the rare genius of Pirlo when he plays in the regista role, we move more quickly between defence and attack with him in the starting XI, for Claudio’s efficiency with the ball is classy. He has the discipline to hold his position as a screen and outlet for the defenders and can be a threat if given the space and time to shoot or create in the final third. A commendable performance.

Pogba – 9. Other than the two goals in which he was hugely involved, he went through a few quiet periods, yet showed that his discipline is improving and produced a few moments of absolute brilliance on the ball. Technically, the finest player on the field.

Pereyra- 7. Toiled hard and found himself and others in good positions on several occasions. Encouraging.

Morata – 5. Worked damn hard, missed a sitter and seems still unable to find himself on the same wavelength as his team-mates.

Tevez – 6.5. Chievo were determined to deny him space and man mark him wherever he marauded. Made a couple of chances to shoot but was off target. Seemed to have no connection with his strike partner Morata.

Reasons to be cheerful

Pogba just keeps getting better and better and better…Probably the finest 21 year old footballer on the planet. Not just destined for Greatness, he is already there. In all the years I have been watching football I have never seen an attacking midfielder as strong, powerful, mature and ultra talented at his age, or anywhere near his age. Not only is his technique world class, his dribbling and trickery on the ball is sublime and he has that god given gift of often making something out of seemingly nothing. Forza Pogba.

His goal was his fourth from his last four appearances. He won us the game.

Marchisio was quality in the regista role. Directing the play, recycling the ball with swiftness and guile. Much under appreciated, Claudio goes about his business with efficiency and outstanding focus. At times, I feel we are a more dynamic side with him playing in place of Pirlo.

Chiellini is back to his best. A wonderfully strong performance. After a haphazard season to date, the big man is finding his rhythm.

His injury problems now seem a distant memory, Caceres is quickly reintegrating into the squad. He brings more technical quality in terms of distribution than Lichsteiner, and tackles like a warrior. Brilliant to have him back.

Reasons to scowl

Vidal returned to the lethargic, out of sorts performance which characterized the first half of his season. His dive was atrocious. His movement worrying. And other than the one quality effort on goal, his output was below what we have come to expect of one of the true stars of our triple scudetti routine. His fitness should be fine now. Yet perhaps he still does not feel truly Right. Has his knee fully recovered? Was his head turned by the widely publicized interest from Manchester United? Whatever the reason, he needs to get back to his best. And soon.

The $EU20m we spent on Alvaro Morata is looking presently like a poor investment. Our major signing of the Summer has yet to adjust to our tactics. He is a player with great pace and an eye for goal, yet continues to appear unable to find harmony with his team-mates. Perhaps he needs a run in the squad, but when winning a starting berth and missing a gilt edged chance to open the scoring, I suspect that Allegri will return to Llorente, another player who has endured a torrid season to date. Unfortunately, I fear that without a series of starts, our star signing will remain out of sorts, unable to make good on the promise shown beforehand in Spain, where the defensive phase of the game is markedly less structured, than is found in Serie A. Perhaps this is why we find few spaniards in Italy?

Whilst watching Vidal struggle, I began pondering options on the bench or in the squad to replace him. None came to mind. Only the suggestion of reverting to a 3-5-2 and placing Pereyra in his role and inserting Coman behind the front two.

Pogba created and scored the first, then manufactured the second.

Pogba’s immense strengths are focused hugely on the offensive phase of the game. Vidal has been a more complete midfielder in terms of been able to defend as well as attack with zeal and potency. Marrone was in attendance, yet he seems a potential understudy to Pirlo/ Marchiso, if not Bonucci.. Were Asamoah in attendance, he could have fit the bill, yet he is absent, and when present, still seems shoe-horned into a left back, left wing back role.

Clearly this is the thinking behind cutting Sturaro’s loan stint short. Bringing him into the ranks sooner than expected, for the truth is, we have little cover for the Vidal/Marchisio/Pirlo triumvirate.

To end this overly lengthy analysis…

We fought hard, created a fair few chances whilst conceding only the one. Another victory, and with our major domestic rivals stalling in Florence, we now find ourselves 7 points clear at the top of the table.

Chievo, had they drawn, would have been good value for the result. They lack bite in attack, other than which, are very well organized, everyone knows their positions and duties and they defend as a team. I expect them to survive.

We have a fairly easy fixture list leading up to the crunch ties with Dortmund and Roma. If we can maintain our lead at the top before then, we are very much in the driving seat for a wonderful fourth title on the trot.

Our performance was not wonderful, yet it was enough for another clean sheet and an increase of our lead in 1^st. Our form for 2015 reads as…

Played 5

Won 4, Drawn 1

Scored 16, conceded 5

Not bad at all.

And with Barzagli appearing close to a long awaited return, an extra body to add to midfield, Asamoah and Pirlo still to return, we seem in fine fettle. Yet must stride onwards with zeal and ferocity, gain as much momentum as possible before we face the Germans and Romans.