Le Pagelle: Juventus vs. Cagliari

When Cagliari turned a dull half into a potential code-red situation for when they took an out-of-nowhere lead, it looked like yet another episode of Juventus letting a team they should be beating comfortably turn a game into a nightmare.

But this time, Juve didn’t let things stay in the upside down for long. Kenan Yildiz took over the rest of the half, equalizing barely a minute-and-a-half later, then capped a lovely team move to give the Bianconeri the lead on the stroke of halftime.

Juve had their chances to ice the game in the second half but couldn’t finish the job, but fortunately kept their visitors from coming particularly close to drawing level again, taking home a 2-1 win and banking three big points ahead of a December that will see them face Napoli, Bologna, and Roma by Christmas.

How did the players fare on Saturday at the Allianz? Let’s take a look.

MATTIA PERIN – 6. Made a pair of saves very close in in the second half, and otherwise had very little to do.

PIERRE KALULU – 7. Pushed up from the back to support the defense a whole lot, ultimately registering two key passes and assisting the winning goal.

LLOYD KELLY – 7. Made five clearances and seven ball recoveries while continuing to anchor the defense in the middle. Kept Borelli relatively quiet and helped hold Cagliari to only five shots in total. Completed 97 percent of his passes.

TEUN KOOPMEINERS – 6.5. Made a pair of key passes and made nine ball recoveries, all of which were in his own half. Didn’t allow himself to be dribbled past at all today, which is a big improvement in that regard.

WESTON McKENNIE – 6. Made four clearances, but wasn’t able to really impose on the game on end of the game. A relatively meh game.

MANUEL LOCATELLI – 6.5. Excellent in defense as usual, winning two of three tackles while making two interceptions and three clearances. Totaled 108 touches and completed 92 percent of his passes, and started the sequence that led to Yildiz’s winner. Kept Juve’s momentum pointed toward Cagliari’s goal for most of the night after Cagliarian scored.

KHÉPHREN THURAM – 6. An acceptable performance but didn’t make any of his usual runs through the middle of the park, nor was he hugely influential defensively.

FILIP KOSTIC – 5. Was repeatedly torched by Marco Palestra, and his error allowed the young wing-back to set up Sebastiano Esposito’s goal. Deservedly pulled at the half.

FRANCISCO CONCEIÇÃO – 6.5. Led the team with seven shots but only found the target three times, and missed a huge chance at the beginning of the second half. Still, his four dribbles led the team, and he won seven of his 11 duels on the ground.

KENAN YILDIZ – 8. This kid is so good. Simply took over after Cagliari scored, potting both of his shots with aplomb and adding in a pair of key passes as well. It’s been a week to remember for the rising star.

DUSAN VLAHOVIC – 5.5. Only got nine touches in the first half hour before his injury, which looked pretty darn serious. I wouldn’t expect to see him until the new year.

JONATHAN DAVID – 6. Made two key passes and really should’ve gotten an assist when he sent Conceição through. Wasn’t set up for a shot, and he’ll need to be a lot more decisive with Vlahovic on the shelf.

ANDREA CAMBIASO – 6. Made a key pass and was successful with his only tackle attempt.

FABIO MIRETTI – 6. Had a key pass and only misfired one pass. Won four of six duels and two of four tackles. I’d like to see more of him.

JUAN CABAL – NR. Only touched the ball three times, but at least he didn’t screw up this time.

LOÏS OPENDA – NR. Sent into the box once but wasn’t able to make much of it as he killed the last of the time.

MANAGER ANALYSIS

There isn’t a whole lot to talk about when it comes to Spalletti in this match. He set the team up relatively well, and there wasn’t much in the way of nuance to his substitutions. Indeed, his first two changes were very much dictated by circumstances, namely Vlahovic’s injury and Kostic’s complete ineffectiveness. Seeing Miretti get decent playing time again was a good sign, and it’s looking more and more like he’s going to be a viable piece to the double pivot.

The test for Spalletti over the next month is going to be twofold. First, he’s going to have to match wits with perhaps the three best coaches in the league—Antonio Conte, Vincenzo Italiano, and Gian Piero Gasperini—to keep Juve afloat through this tough stretch. Second, he’s going to have to get David and Openda to produce in a way that they haven’t so far. With Vlahovic likely out for a significant period of time, getting them to play more aggressively and finally get them producing is going to be a key, otherwise Juve could find themselves in a tough spot come the new year.

LOOKING AHEAD

Juve start Coppa Italia play on Wednesday, welcoming Udinese for the round of 16 at home. Then comes the first of the month’s big league matches against Napoli at the Maradona.