Italian champions Juventus began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 defeat of Swedish side Malmö at the Juventus Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Old Lady looked laboured and struggled to break down a stubborn Malmö defence, but eventually broke the deadlock through Carlos Tevez who bagged his first Champions League goals in over five years.
The Swedish Allsvenskan leaders tamed the Bianconeri for most of the match, but never really threatened to cause problems of their own with the exception of a dangerous first half break.
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Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon – 6 – Spectator
The Italian goalkeeper only had to deal with a single shot on target early on in the game and dealt with it in typical fashion, making himself big and saving well.
Martin Caceres – 6.5 – Adventurous
While he had very little to do defensively, the Uruguayan often looked bored and frustrated with the lack of cutting edge his teammates showed, this lead to wandering runs forward to help out in attack.
Leonardo Bonucci – 6 – Quiet
The Italian had little to do as Juve dominated the match.
Giorgio Chiellini – 6 – Grateful
He will no rout be happy to return to the side without being tested in any way. Still yet to regain full fitness, Malmö failed to exploit this.
Stephan Lichsteiner – 6.5 – Busy
Caught out to allow the visitors their only shot on target and will be grateful for Buffon’s presence in goal. Caused problems going forward but lacked decisiveness in vital moments.
Paul Pogba – 7 – Alone
The French midfielder was left to do the work of his teammates for the majority of the match. Caused problems for the Swedish side but lack of movement from teammates nullified his hard work.
Claudio Marchisio – 5.5 – Absent
It seems harsh to criticise any individual after a largely dull performance, but Marchisio failed to have any impact on the game. You could be forgiven for forgetting he was playing.
Kwadwo Asamoah – 5 – Wasteful
Despite his elegant assist for Tevez’s opener, the Ghanaian wasted possession more often than not. Filling the void left by Vidal, he opted to shoot from range time and time again to no avail. Frustrating to watch even from a non-Juventini point of view.
Patrice Evra – 5.5 – Faded
Looked to attack from the first minute and spent the majority of the first half in advanced positions, failed to impact in any real way.
Carlos Tevez – 7.5 – Difference
Bagging his first Champions League goals in 14 games, Tevez started the game slowly finding himself coming deep time and time again. Once he moved to a more advanced position Malmoö couldn’t deal with him. Two good goals to get the Bianconeri up and running in Europe.
Fernando Llorente – 6 – Isolated
Often left isolated with Tevez dropping deep in the first half. More support in the second half allowed him to move around and give the Malmö defenders something to think about. Failed to really threaten goal until forcing Olsen into a world class save late on.
Substitutes
Romulo – No Rating
A late substitute with the win already wrapped up.
Alvaro Morata – No Rating
A late replacement for two time goalscorer Tevez.
Sebastian Giovinco – No Rating
A late substitute with the win already wrapped up.
Malmö
Robin Olsen – 7- Solid
Faced seven shots on target but failed to be properly tested until late on. Little he could do about the opener, possibly could have done better on the second. World class double save late on.
Anton Tinnerholm – 6.5 – Calming
Much like the rest of his defensive team, restricted Juve to long range shots and never allowed them to break through. Kept Patrice Evra at bay and broke well when play allowed.
Erik Johansson – 6 – Stable
Kept Juve out until an error allowed for Tevez to get free and open the scoring. One mistake in an otherwise good performance.
Markus Halsti – 5.5 – Bullied
Tough task of man-marking Llorente. Not always successful in stopping the big man.
Filip Helander – 5 – Exposed
Together with the next player on the list he was a real weak point in the Malmö team. Targeted and exploited by Juve.
Pa Konate – 5 – Weak link
Often caught out as Allegri’s men attacked primarily down the right. Allowed Lichsteiner to get into dangerous positions on several occasions.
Magnus Eriksson – 6.5 – Limited
Due to the intentions of his side to frustrate their hosts he was never allowed much time on the ball. His cross created the one clear cut chance his team had. Quietly impressive.
Enoch Adu – 6 – Involved
Better in the first half as he held things together for his side in midfield. Progression of Caceres contributed to he and his teammates being overrun in the middle of the pitch.
Emil Forsberg – 5.5 – Suffered
Tipped as being one for Juve to worry about but was largely given a restrictive role on Lichsteiner which proved unsuccessful.
Markus Rosenberg – 5 – Spectator
The forward was one of the players who suffered most from his sides defensive set up. Limited time with the ball and when in possession lacked any support to cause any problems.
Isaac Kiesse Thelin – 5 – Absent
Much like Rosenberg he failed to impact the game in any way, largely due to a lack of opportunities.
Substitutes
Agon Mehmeti – 5 – Ineffective
Came on to replace injury stricken Rosenberg with no real change in fortune for Malmö. Much of the same after his introduction.
Erdal Rakip – No Rating
A late substitute with little time to impact on the result.
Simon Kroon – No Rating.
A late substitute with little time to impact on the result.
