The opening match of the 2014/2015 Serie A season started with a lackluster 1-0 win for Juventus over Chievo.
The only goal was scored as an own goal by the Flying Donkeys, when Cristiano Biraghi accidentally netted one into his own net in the early moments of the game. Neither side would score again and Juventus walked away with three points from the away match at the Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi.
The starting match of the season did not look good for either Eugenio Corini or Massimiliano Allegri, who watched as both their sides played in an under performed and uninspiring season opener.
Chievo
Francesco Bardi – 7
It was an unlucky start for the goalkeeper on loan from Inter, who let in an own goal from Biraghi in the opening minutes of the match. However, despite a bad start for his new team, Bardi did manage to keep the ball out of the back net for the rest of the match.
Dario Dainelli – 6
The Italian centre back became visually more frustrated as the match went on, finally earning himself a card near the start of the second half. While the match was understandably frustrating for all involved, Dainelli was unable to keep his emotions from over taking his style of play.
Bostjan Cesar – 6.5
The Slovenian who is becoming a veteran for Chievo, helped slowed down Juventus from advancing or scoring more goals. However, not much was else was added to the match by the defender.
Nicolas Frey – 6.5
Frey was another player who both contributed to the slowing down of Juventus, but not much else. Playing his role in a mediocre fashion, he did mange to get the job done without much cause for concern.
Cristiano Biraghi – 5
The match was a terrible start for the defender, after an own goal at the beginning of the match turned out to be the only goal of the match. Though he actively worked at correcting his mistake, it was too little too late; the game ended as it begin: in disappointment.
Mariano Izco – 7
Recently acquired by the Flying Donkey, Izco was one of the biggest contributors to an otherwise dull match. Helping to push Chievo forwarded, Izco tried to step up several chances that unfortunately did not follow through. He does have the potential to improve Chievo if he continues in the same form as the season continues.
Perparim Hetemaj – 6
Hetemaj was another player who showed potential throughout the match but did not quite make the push past actually making a mark. The Finnish midfielder did manage to slow down Juventus from increasing the 1 – 0 scoreline but did not contribute to make any individual moments of brilliance.
Thomas Mangani – 6.5
The French midfielder is clearly finding his form with his new team. While his performance was not the best of the match, the 27 year old looks as though he can eventually ease himself into a strong leader for Chievo.
Maxi Lopez – 7
Maxi Lopes almost became the hero of the match when he had the best chance all game to change the score line. With a chance in front of the net, the would-be equalizer was saved by Buffon. The foiled chance did not stop Maxi from pressuring the rest of the match, but unfortunately he was not able to find another chance.
Valter Birsa – 6
The Slovenian winger assisted in the push forward that Chievo needed to regain confidence after an unfortunate own goal; however, it was not enough to help the Flying Donkeys equalize.
Ezequiel Schelotto – 5
Taken off in the first half, Schelotto did not exactly contribute to the match in a meaningful manner. However, the Argentine who is currently on loan to Chievo, showed potential had he been more match fit for the game.
Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon – 7
The Juventus captain was fairly subdued most of the match, with his most active effort coming in the second half when he saved a would-be sure goal from Chievo’s Maxi Lopez.
Martin Caceres – 6
The 27 year old Uruguayan did not play to his potential this match, seemingly slow and out of place against Chievo. While his individual performance did not affect the overall team performance for Juventus, Caceres will have to continue to pick up game to keep Juventus as a title contender.
Angelo Ogbonna – 6
Ogbonna was another player that seemed missing all match, barely making his mark all game. Without any real test from Chievo, he was able to get away with being absent, however he will have to tighten up his performance to keep a starting position on the team.
Leonardo Bonucci – 6.5
Another player who had higher expectations going into the match and did not perform as well as expected. While he was able to get away with a slow under performance against Chievo, more should be expected by the Italian veteran.
Paul Pogba – 6.5
The Frenchman looked a little sloppy and lethargic in the first half and contributed to the dull and sluggish mood to the match. Considering his contributions to the team in the previous season, this match should not be regarded as one of the highlights of his career.
Claudio Marchisio – 6
Once again, another of the Juventus talisman seemed to not be prepared for the match. Usually a leader for the Turin club, Marchisio was noticiably active from leadership as his club continued to make mistakes and let an equally slow Chievo side match them. Marchisio will have to step up, especially with the absence of Andrea Pirlo, if he expects to be a key role this season.
Kwadwo Asamoah -6.5
Asamoah looked frustrated and lost, especially at the beginning of the start of the second half. Possibly due to the lack of structure around him, the 25 year old Ghanaian did not give one of his best performances, making careless mistakes that are not usual to his playing style.
Arturo Vidal – 6.5
Vidal was yet another case of a player who should be playing better. After much speculation about leaving Juventus, Vidal did not show the type of performance expected from a player who would have been considered one of their biggest losses, had he left for Manchester United as rumoured. He played clumsily and seemingly unfocused at the beginning of the match, and while there was a bit of improvement in the second half, it was not enough to highlight the supposed star player.
Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6.5
The usually vocal Swissman seemed non-existence for the most of the match, like most of the rest of his team, which is surprising as Lichtsteiner is usually the one calling for his team to play better when they start to hit a slump. Like his team mates around him, the Swiss seemed happy to end the match at 1 – 0 and the effort surrounding the decision showed.
Carlos Tevez – 7.5
The Argentine was overshadowed by the unexpected debut of fellow forward, Kingsley Coman. However, Tevez managed to get the ball moving in an otherwise slow and sluggish match via some brilliantly time assists and a few shots on goal.
Kingsley Coman – 8
Coman quickly silenced his critics that questioned “who?!” at the beginning of the match. Previously from Paris Saint-Germain, the 18 year old Frenchman working well aside Tevez and took a few creative chances, which quickly dominated an otherwise dull game. Any would-be nerves did not seem to overshadow his Serie A debut and all things considering, he was the man to watch on the pitch.
