Posted on Thursday, 2nd February 2012 by Gregy Ferrari

As writers and critics there’s nothing more we like than to criticize underperforming players. But in Alessandro ’s case it is unjustified. The 27 year old striker has come into criticism. For too many failings in front of goal this season has left a frustrated figure in games. And often Antonio Conte has had to take him off.

I believe the opportunities in front of goal that go begging aren’t entirely of Matri’s own making. He hit the target on a couple of occasions against Atalanta, but was denied either by brilliant goalkeeping or defending. Matri was also poised to tap in the third goal against Roma in the Coppa Italia, if it wasn’t for Simon Kjaer beating him to it.

Matri had stints at , and before his Serie A move to in the summer of 2007. He played 125 league games for the Sardinians, and netted on 36 occasions. Not great by any means, but not terrible either considering he was in and out of the side.

Many thought it a risky move for  Turin giants to take Matri on a loan spell. But for me he exceeded expectations with the , 16 appearances yielding 9 goals. Including a winning goal against in the Derby D’Italia.

Juventus then took up the option to buy Matri outright for €15.5 million. The contract will take him up to 2015. The question then, is he ready for the big time? The answer is yes he is. The many will doubtlessly argue he isn’t worthy of Juve, or that he is a slow developer. And that at 27 years old he isn’t exactly young in football terms.

But however you look at it Matri is the Bianconeri’s top goal scorer this season with nine goals.  And with new signing Marco Borriello likely to misfire, and Mirko Vucinic and Fabio Quagliarella too injury prone. Matri is crucial to Juventus title ambitions this season.

This was very evident at the weekend, with rumours abound that Conte would relegate Matri to the bench against . The tactician instead went with his instincts and started Matri. He played the whole game, and proved his critics wrong with a winning brace.

The first goal was a typical goal poachers finish, as Udinese keeper Samir Handanovic spilled a Fabio Quagliarella header. Matri pounced on the rebound. Then with the game at 1-1 and Udinese increasing some pressure, Matri scored a goal worthy of winning any game. He had the technique to turn and the awareness to guide a low shot in Handanovic’s left corner. Match won and Juventus still top of the tree.

I’m sure won’t take the downward spiral like that of Luca Toni. And it’s debatable if he’s capable of becoming a prolific goal scorer. But Matri will get you goals on a more consistant level than that of his Juventus team-mates. And the Bianconeri’s number 32 is a sizable portion of the reason Juventus are top of the Serie A tree.

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Gregy FerrariAuthor Gregy Ferrari  (12 Posts)

Young charismatic gentleman, 27 years old from Southern England. Fiorentina through and through! hense the purple innards. Been to the Artemio Franchi in January 2010 to witness la Viola defeat Bari in the crazy but hospitable Curva Fiesole. Adrian Mutu although flawed is my hero in a Viola jersey. We miss him here. I have a twitter acount and love indulging in Calcio discussion, so follow but don't stalk me @GregyFerrari


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Posted in Features, Juventus | Comments (1)

One Response to “How Good Is Juventus’ Alessandro Matri?”

  1. Rory Hanna Rory Hanna Says:
    February 3rd, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    Agree that Matri is a good player and can do a good job in Serie A, but when Juventus reach the business end of the Champions League do you think he’ll have the quality to make a difference? I’m not so sure.

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