Juventus defeated AC Milan 1-0 in Serie A on Saturday evening.
The Bianconeri fully deserved the three points, after Carlos Tevez finished off a clever move with team mate Paul Pogba, as the away side dominated huge periods of the match.
Claudio Marchisio also hit a post for Massimiliano Allegri’s team, as Milan were brushed aside quite comfortably despite the tight scoreline.
Agree with out ratings? Have your say in the comments below.
AC Milan
Christian Abbiati – 6 – Confident
The Milan keeper looked in good form, deputising for the injured Diego Lopez. Could do nothing about the Tevez goal but certainly offered a safe pair of hands in the absence of the team’s number one goalkeeper.
Ignazio Abate – 5.5 – Ineffective
More was expected of the Italian international but he failed to link in any way with Keisuke Honda and offered very little in terms of an attacking threat. His defending was adequate but nothing more.
Mattia De Sciglio– 6 – Generous
Got forward much more than Abate and put in some decent crosses. Balanced it well with looking after the dangerous Stephan Lichsteiner and made sure he got back to cover the Swiss international wing back.
Christian Zapata – 5.5 – Difficult
A huge error early in the first half was mixed in with some good defending given the torrid time he was given by both Tevez and Fernando Llorente. Will need to be more consistent if he is to cement a starting spot.
Adil Rami – 5.5– Insecure
Similar performance to Zapata in that some good work was often spoiled by some shaky moments. The Milan defensive issues look far from fixed.
Nigel De Jong – 6 – Wrecking-Ball
Strong first half, breaking up much of the Juve play and attempting to start counter attacks. Faded in second half somewhat as the whole Milan team started to tire and suffer.
Sulley Muntari – 6– Aggressive
Played to his strengths, though there are not many. Box to box midfielder but offered little in creativity despite the functional makeup of the Milan central three midfielders.
Andrea Poli – 5.5– Determined
Put in a shift but there is little difference in him, Muntari and De Jong. Much fetching and carrying, strong tackling and chasing but a Milan that has ambitions of winning the title will need something more in terms of a midfielder.
Stephan El Shaarawy – 6 – Threat
Always looked to beat his man and drive into the box whenever possible, with some success. Still a few games away from full match fitness, but the Pharaoh is beginning to find his old form from a couple of seasons ago.
Jeremy Menez – 7 – Dangerous
By far the most threatening player in red and black and ran himself into the ground trying to get something from the match. Is reveling in his false nine role and Juventus found it difficult to stop him as he played between their defence and midfield lines.
Keisuke Honda – 6 – Sacrificed
Played mostly in his own half, covering Abate and helping his side defend the wave of Juve attacks. Failed to attack the right flank with any regularity though had Milan’s best chance with a header in the first half.
Substitutes
Giacomo Bonaventura – 5 – 66 mins
Fernando Torres – 5 – 75 mins
Giampaolo Pazzini – no vote – 83 mins
Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon – 6.5 – Blessed
Did not have an awful lot to do but made two great saves in the first half which could have put a totally different spin on the game had he not made the stops. Despite his age, Juventus would not want anyone else in goal right now.
Martin Caceres – 6 – Injured
The defender went about his job well enough but was unlucky to have to leave the field early due to injury.
Leonardo Bonucci – 6.5 – Calm
Defended well and looked composed in everything he did. Plenty of long balls played to his forwards to start off moves and was the best center back on the pitch.
Giorgio Chiellini – 5 – Liability
Huge error in first half almost allowed Menez in on goal and did not recover in terms of form throughout the game. Was fortunate the home team were not able to have sustained periods of pressure as he looked the weak link at the back.
Kwadwo Asamoah – 5.5 – Timid
Failed to capitalise on the wing defended by Abate and should have offered his side a bit more in the attacking third of the field.
Stephan Lichtsteiner – 6 – Motivated
Was a danger on the right hand side though De Sciglio did well to curb his runs into the box. But as usual, a huge part of the attacking Juventus strategy.
Claudio Marchisio – 6.5 – Playmaker
Hit a post in the first half and sat very deep, orchestrating maneuvers effectively in his role as the vice-Andrea Pirlo. Perhaps should have been sent off for a stamp but was only yellow carded.
Paul Pogba – 6.5– Instrumental
Failed to get into the match early on and struggled to make an impact until he assisted t
he Tevez goal which gave him a huge confidence boost. Was Juve’s best player in last 20 minutes which was key to stopping any Milan comeback.
Roberto Pereyra – 6.5 – Dynamic
The ex-Udinese midfielder was the outstanding performer in the first half and continued his form into much of the second before being subbed. Lung-busting runs into the box, dribbling and ball recovery were all part of his game. A massively important addition to Allegri’s squad.
Carlos Tevez – 7.5 – Indispensable
Incredible scoring form for the Argentine, who has been decisive in the Bianconeri’s last three games. Unstoppable at the moment not only in terms of goals but his overall contribution to the team.
Fernando Llorente – 6 – Strong
Didn’t score but the perfect partner to Tevez, often playing with his back to goal, occupying both opposition centre backs as his strike partner drops deep looking to make late runs. The classic ‘prima punta’.
Substitutes
Angelo Ogbonna – 6 – 34 mins
Arturo Vidal – no vote- 75 mins
Romulo – no vote – 82 mins
