Juventus: Champions Ratings
5/31/2005 6:11:00 PM
As the season has come to an end, we analyze and rate the Italian champions player by player.
GOALKEEPERS
1. Buffon 7: The world’s number one goalkeeper was as fundamental as ever, even though he made two big mistakes against Atalanta and Inter. This year the defence was more solid and the number of shots on goal decreased, but whenever he was called in action, Gigi responded! His saves can be compared to the decisive goals scored by a striker.
12. Chimenti Antonio N/A: Hardly played this season, especially since Juventus were eliminated straight away from the Coppa Italia. Not rateable.
DEFENDERS
2. Ferrara Ciro 8: This rating is for the career of a great defender who always gave his best and never disappointed. Even though he hardly featured this year, he still reached the 500th match milestone in a splendid career which rewarded him with the beauty of 8 Scudetti. A true legend!
4. Montero Paolo 6: Might not be the brilliant defender of the past but this season he proved he can be a squad player by coming in when need be. Still, he seems to have lost his touch which in previous years made him into one of Europe’s best defenders.
7. Pessotto Gianluca 6.5: Was important in the last part of the season when he had to replace the injured Zebina. Did so diligently despite his 35 years of age.
15. Birindelli Alessandro 6: Came in when Zambrotta needed a break. Not what he used to be and might be on his way out this summer.
21. Thuram Lilian 7: A wall. Proved that he can still perform at the top when played as central defender. His class and brilliance helped Juventus keep opponents at bay and the number of conceded goals at a low.
27. Zebina Jonathan 6.5: Quite a surprise. His on-field reputation of sloppy play is probably unfair. Even though he still makes one or two defensive ’Zebinate’ per game, he makes up for it with some excellent runs on the right. Still room for improvement.
28. Cannavaro Fabio 7.5: Juventus needed a solid defender to reorganize the defence and reclaim the title of best rearguard. Cannavaro needed a new environment where to prove he was not finished. A match made in heaven, or as in this case, in Turin.
MIDFIELDERS
3. Tacchinardi Alessio 5.5: Another disappointing season for the veteran Juve player. Maybe his time at the club has come to an end, which would be a pity for a player who had shown so much potential in the early part of his career where at one point he was even dubbed as the new Baresi.
8. Emerson 7.5: The Brazilian midfielder was one of the main reasons behind the Scudetto win thanks to a high work-rate and dirty work in the middle of the pitch which included a staggering number of recovered balls (41). Played even when he was half fit due to injuries.
11. Nedved Pavel 7: The Czech star proved his critics wrong and showed everyone that he still has what it takes to perform exceptionally. Despite missing many games through various injuries, Nedved still managed to score 7 goals (in particular the one against Lazio) to help the Bianconeri win their 28th league title.
16. Camoranesi Mauro German 7.5: In previous years his main problem was consistency. This year, maybe even thanks to Capello, the right winger played consistently well throughout the whole season, and topping Juventus’ list with 9 assists. Probably the most creative player of the whole Bianconeri’s midfielder. Fundamental.
18. Appiah Stephen 6.5: Started out as a reserve of Blasi and was given a chance midway through the season in which he failed and was left on the side for most of the year. He was given another chance towards the end and this time he did not disappoint as he performed well and even scored a stunner against Cagliari.
19. Zambrotta Gianluca 7: If an award had to be given to the player who ran most kilometres during the whole season, then the Italian international would definitely take the first spot. Very consistent especially in the first part of the season. Always present and never disappointed his fans.
20. Blasi Manuele 6: Started very well but faded away with the passing of the months. He definitely has the potential to be another Gattuso, but he still needs to improve, especially on his technical aspect.
23. Kapo Obou Narcisse Olivier N/A: Never really clicked as he was closed by other players and when his time came, he suffered a muscle injury which kept him away from the pitches for weeks. He will probably leave this summer.
24. Olivera 6.5: Very inconsistent. He would perform well and even score decisive goals, then just vanish in some other important games (for example against Liverpool). Next year will be his hit or miss season.
FORWARDS
9. Ibrahimovic Zlatan 7.5: What a surprise and what a debut! No one expected so much from the Swede forward in his first season with Juventus, yet he defied all critics and even scored a record number of goals. He still has ample room for improvement and once he does, the Golden Ball will become something of a reality. Phenomenal!
10. Del Piero Alessandro 7: It’s difficult to judge Del Piero and the last few matches of the season have made it even harder. In fact prior to those games, he would have obtained a 6.5 rating at most due to his very inconsistent performances, but he earned an extra 0.5 for proving to be important in the most crucial moment of the season, something which he had not done for a long time. Resurgent.
17. Trezeguet David 7: Marred by injuries yet he still scored 9 goals (most of which decisive) from 18 matches. Transfer speculation indicates he might be on his way out, but unless Juventus substitute him with Gilardino, there will not be a better striker out there on the market. Goal scoring machine.
25. Zalayeta Marcelo 6.5: Super-sub might be the best way to define Zalayeta who always performs greatly when he comes in from the bench rather than when he starts from the beginning. Great team player who you can always rely on.
30. Mutu Adrian N/A: His career restarted in the last matchday. Now he can look forward to a brighter future with the Bianconeri’s shirt after passing months in hell.
COACH
Capello Fabio 8: The real architect behind this Scudetto. With a team considered inferior in every department (especially bench wise) to Milan and Inter, Don Fabio pulled out his magic wand and created a solid and winning team. Well done to (probably) the best Italian coach.
5/31/2005 6:11:00 PM
As the season has come to an end, we analyze and rate the Italian champions player by player.
GOALKEEPERS
1. Buffon 7: The world’s number one goalkeeper was as fundamental as ever, even though he made two big mistakes against Atalanta and Inter. This year the defence was more solid and the number of shots on goal decreased, but whenever he was called in action, Gigi responded! His saves can be compared to the decisive goals scored by a striker.
12. Chimenti Antonio N/A: Hardly played this season, especially since Juventus were eliminated straight away from the Coppa Italia. Not rateable.
DEFENDERS
2. Ferrara Ciro 8: This rating is for the career of a great defender who always gave his best and never disappointed. Even though he hardly featured this year, he still reached the 500th match milestone in a splendid career which rewarded him with the beauty of 8 Scudetti. A true legend!
4. Montero Paolo 6: Might not be the brilliant defender of the past but this season he proved he can be a squad player by coming in when need be. Still, he seems to have lost his touch which in previous years made him into one of Europe’s best defenders.
7. Pessotto Gianluca 6.5: Was important in the last part of the season when he had to replace the injured Zebina. Did so diligently despite his 35 years of age.
15. Birindelli Alessandro 6: Came in when Zambrotta needed a break. Not what he used to be and might be on his way out this summer.
21. Thuram Lilian 7: A wall. Proved that he can still perform at the top when played as central defender. His class and brilliance helped Juventus keep opponents at bay and the number of conceded goals at a low.
27. Zebina Jonathan 6.5: Quite a surprise. His on-field reputation of sloppy play is probably unfair. Even though he still makes one or two defensive ’Zebinate’ per game, he makes up for it with some excellent runs on the right. Still room for improvement.
28. Cannavaro Fabio 7.5: Juventus needed a solid defender to reorganize the defence and reclaim the title of best rearguard. Cannavaro needed a new environment where to prove he was not finished. A match made in heaven, or as in this case, in Turin.
MIDFIELDERS
3. Tacchinardi Alessio 5.5: Another disappointing season for the veteran Juve player. Maybe his time at the club has come to an end, which would be a pity for a player who had shown so much potential in the early part of his career where at one point he was even dubbed as the new Baresi.
8. Emerson 7.5: The Brazilian midfielder was one of the main reasons behind the Scudetto win thanks to a high work-rate and dirty work in the middle of the pitch which included a staggering number of recovered balls (41). Played even when he was half fit due to injuries.
11. Nedved Pavel 7: The Czech star proved his critics wrong and showed everyone that he still has what it takes to perform exceptionally. Despite missing many games through various injuries, Nedved still managed to score 7 goals (in particular the one against Lazio) to help the Bianconeri win their 28th league title.
16. Camoranesi Mauro German 7.5: In previous years his main problem was consistency. This year, maybe even thanks to Capello, the right winger played consistently well throughout the whole season, and topping Juventus’ list with 9 assists. Probably the most creative player of the whole Bianconeri’s midfielder. Fundamental.
18. Appiah Stephen 6.5: Started out as a reserve of Blasi and was given a chance midway through the season in which he failed and was left on the side for most of the year. He was given another chance towards the end and this time he did not disappoint as he performed well and even scored a stunner against Cagliari.
19. Zambrotta Gianluca 7: If an award had to be given to the player who ran most kilometres during the whole season, then the Italian international would definitely take the first spot. Very consistent especially in the first part of the season. Always present and never disappointed his fans.
20. Blasi Manuele 6: Started very well but faded away with the passing of the months. He definitely has the potential to be another Gattuso, but he still needs to improve, especially on his technical aspect.
23. Kapo Obou Narcisse Olivier N/A: Never really clicked as he was closed by other players and when his time came, he suffered a muscle injury which kept him away from the pitches for weeks. He will probably leave this summer.
24. Olivera 6.5: Very inconsistent. He would perform well and even score decisive goals, then just vanish in some other important games (for example against Liverpool). Next year will be his hit or miss season.
FORWARDS
9. Ibrahimovic Zlatan 7.5: What a surprise and what a debut! No one expected so much from the Swede forward in his first season with Juventus, yet he defied all critics and even scored a record number of goals. He still has ample room for improvement and once he does, the Golden Ball will become something of a reality. Phenomenal!
10. Del Piero Alessandro 7: It’s difficult to judge Del Piero and the last few matches of the season have made it even harder. In fact prior to those games, he would have obtained a 6.5 rating at most due to his very inconsistent performances, but he earned an extra 0.5 for proving to be important in the most crucial moment of the season, something which he had not done for a long time. Resurgent.
17. Trezeguet David 7: Marred by injuries yet he still scored 9 goals (most of which decisive) from 18 matches. Transfer speculation indicates he might be on his way out, but unless Juventus substitute him with Gilardino, there will not be a better striker out there on the market. Goal scoring machine.
25. Zalayeta Marcelo 6.5: Super-sub might be the best way to define Zalayeta who always performs greatly when he comes in from the bench rather than when he starts from the beginning. Great team player who you can always rely on.
30. Mutu Adrian N/A: His career restarted in the last matchday. Now he can look forward to a brighter future with the Bianconeri’s shirt after passing months in hell.
COACH
Capello Fabio 8: The real architect behind this Scudetto. With a team considered inferior in every department (especially bench wise) to Milan and Inter, Don Fabio pulled out his magic wand and created a solid and winning team. Well done to (probably) the best Italian coach.
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