Udinese and Juventus finished scoreless 0-0 in a Serie A clash played at the Stadio Friuli on Sunday.
As expected, the Bianconeri controlled the tempo of the match for the most part but could not establish overall dominance over the Zebrette, who won their first point against the champions in over three calendar years.
Here are Forza Italian Football’s individual player ratings for the match. Agree? Disagree? Comment below.
Udinese
Orestis Karnezis – 6 – Stability
The Greek international had only two shots directed on his goal for all 90 minutes of play and he dealt with them with no problem, while at the same time picking every ball that entered his range from either side.
Silvan Widmer – 6 – Improving
Slow opening half saw him struggling in his rare attacking runs and forced deep in his own half. He was one of the Zebrette’s best players on the pitch after the break, though, putting pressure higher up the field and neutralising the Bianconeri’s attacks from the right, especially late on.
Thomas Heurtaux – 5.5 –Expectations
Should get the deserved credit for an overall good defensive display by the home team, but he was not one of the most active individuals in the backline until pressure increased in the closing stages of the match.
Did very well neutralising the Bianconeri’s lethal front men with good positioning and well-timed tackles, especially Llorente. Had one of his team’s best chances on goal from a corner, but Buffon saved his header well.
The only reason he has a lower rating than Danilo is that he mispossessed deep in his own half in the second 45 minutes, which could be punished had it not been for his wonderful recovery. Still…
Gabriel Silva – 5 – Unimpressive
Justifiedly substituted off by Andrea Stramaccioni
Great performance all throughout in breaking Juventus’ attacking plays in safe distance from Karnezis’ goal. Undisputed winner of the personal battle with Pogba.
Guilherme – 5.5 – Complementary
Antonio Di Natale – 5.5 – Tiring
Actively looked for the ball, started some good attacking plays, even looked towards goal on several occasions, but impact decreased as the second half progressed.
Substitutes
Giovanni Pasquale – 5 – Unimpactful
Replaced Gabriel Silva after 66 and provided only fresh legs.
Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon – 7 – Responding
Leonardo Bonucci – 5.5 – Average
An average game by the 27-year-old. Most significant involvement was to press Fernandes on his run to goal in the first half, making it hard for the Portuguese to put more power in his shot, thus helping Buffon deal with it better
Giorgio Chiellini – 5.5 – Parallel
Not any better, nor worse than his partners in the defensive line.
Patrice Evra – 4.5 – Disappoining
Did not make as much attacking threat as expected – and usually provided – by him and logically made way to Padoin in the second half.
Roberto Pereyra – 6 – Close
Had the best opportunity to open the scoring for either team when he beat Karnezis on a rare occasion, but his volley from close range went as far as the crossbar.
Andrea Pirlo – 5.5 – Silenced
Enjoyed a fair share of in-play possession, but wasted multiple set piece opportunities to create danger.
Paul Pogba – 5 – Overshadowed
Started to find himself later on after an unproductive first half, but all compliments in that part of the pitch should go to his counterpart Allan.
Fernando Llorente – 5 – Ok
Missed a good heading opportunity in the first half and later set up Pereyra perfectly for his shot at the crossbar, but replacing him with Morata seemed to be the right move by Massimiliano Allegri.
Carlos Tevez – 5 – Wasteful
Had several great opportunities throughout the match to become the Bianconeri’s hero, but his finishing was dreadful and none of his seven shots found the target.
Substitutes
Alvaro Morata – 4.5 – Unimpressive
Provided extra energy after replacing Llorente after 67 minutes, but bad touches and good defending prevented him from making the same impact as against Parma in the Coppa Italia earlier in the week.
Simone Padoin – N/A
Did not provide much to base his rating off.