My ratings on goal.com
Abed Zeidan Rates Juventus 2004/05
6/8/2005 3:47:00 PM
Abed Zeidan rates the winners of the Scudetto.
GOALKEEPERS
1. Buffon 8: Not as flashy as previous years due to a tighter defence (that’s a good thing), made some great saves when tested, did his job exceptionally as the last line of defence. In my opinion played his best game vs Bayer Munich in Munich. Both games vs Milan are up there.
12. Chimenti Antonio 5.5: You would think when you’re finally given the chance to play you’d give it 100%. That was not the case in Coppa Italia. Lazzari made a fool of him scoring 5 goals past him. Not really worth being the second string keeper for a team like Juventus. I expect him to leave this summer.
DEFENDERS
2. Ferrara Ciro 6: This rating is for the season of a substitute defender. Rarely played, but when on the field he never looked like he was gonna mess things up. A true professional who gives it his best, solid.
4. Montero Paolo 4: When on the field Juve’s defence resembled the defence with Legrottaglie in it. Gave 2 points away in the first game vs Parma and nearly caused an embarrassing loss vs Liverpool in Turin.
7. Pessotto Gianluca 6.5: One of the few players that deserve to be on the Juventus bench, a solid substitute that still can give to the team. Played a great game vs Real in Turin.
15. Birindelli Alessandro 5.5: Never looked like a threat to the other team neither looked like a weak link. His best days are behind him.
21. Thuram Lilian 8.5: On the ground, in the air, ramming opponents, Thuram played one of his best seasons at Juve, if not his best. His block shots were crucial. Drove Milan crazy in both games.
27. Zebina Jonathan 8: To be honest I was very critical when Juve signed Zebina last summer. He proved me and many others wrong. Played the best football of his career, his runs were effective and looked very solid in defence. He was finally called up to the French National Team.
28. Cannavaro Fabio 9: Exchanging Fabio for Carini was the steal of the season. Inter thought that he was washed up and are now kicking themselves. Even Galliani made fun of Inter by offering a youth player for Adriano. Was a lion in defence and his attacks proved crucial at times. Deserves to be the captain of Italy, did Inter know that? He finally added the Scudetto to his C.V, well deserved.
MIDFIELDERS
3. Tacchinardi Alessio 5: Did nothing the whole season, when called upon he never look liked like a threat. I’m sure if he goes somewhere where he is guaranteed first team football, he can prove to be useful.
8. Emerson 8: Never a flashy player, didn’t score that many goals but was killer in midfield. Allowed the defence to be more calm and also allowed Zambrotta to go on his trade-mark runs. Rarely lost a midfield battle. His performances have regained him a spot in the Brazilian National Team.
11. Nedved Pavel 7.5: He never looked like he was past his best, it was the injuries that ruined his season. Capello always had faith in him and he bagged Juve the 3 points when we were in a hole. Expect a great season from him next time around.
16. Camoranesi Mauro German 8.5: Terrorized defences everywhere, no one was able to nullify him. His crosses were incredible, too bad Trez wasn’t there to bang them in. Mauro has gotten better every season and deserves a staring shirt with the Azzurri.
18. Appiah Stephen 6: Scored some spectacular goals (2 as I recall), other than that nothing to remember. He should leave Juve and look for first team football to be really appreciated.
19. Zambrotta Gianluca 8.5: Zambrotta named the left side of the field as his own. No one could get passed him and no one could stop him. In my opinion, has taken over No. 1 spot for left backs. It seems likely that Capello will bring Chiellini as a left back and push Zambrotta into midfield where he can be more devastating.
20. Blasi Manuele 6: Never seemed to have the technical skills but was a bulldog in midfield. I’d prefer Gattuso over him though. Would be a good sub. It still confuses me to this day why Maresca wasn’t partnering Emerson in midfield.
23. Kapo Obou Narcisse Olivier 6: Never proved to Capello that he deserves to stay at the club, only memorable moment was his match-winning assist vs Lazio.
24. Olivera 6: Once labelled as the new Rivaldo by Moggi, he looks more like the old Rivaldo. Came down as a sub most of the time and never really did anything to be remembered.
FORWARDS
9. Ibrahimovic Zlatan 9: The best debut for a foreigner in Serie A since Shevchenko. Everyone watched Zlatan grow over the season into more of a team player (even though he’s not there yet). It looks like he’s beginning to learn how to hit the back of the net instead of the goalie. Not a natural finisher and ended up Juve’s highest scorer, imagine what he’ll do when he gets used to scoring goals.
10. Del Piero Alessandro 7.5: Started the season very quietly. Was subbed in almost every game for Zalayeta, this angered Alex but it also made him reflect on his situation and seemed lost at times but at the last part of the season he was Juve’s best player by far and showed everybody that he still has a lot to give. The ultimate professional.
17. Trezeguet David 7: His injuries would not go away, and when they finally did he caught a very rare virus. Scored at a rate of 1 goal for every 2 games. Not bad for a player looking to regain his form on several occasions. Was vital in the win vs Real.
25. Zalayeta Marcelo 7.5: Reminded me of Solskjaer the super-sub. Covered the absence of Trezeguet superbly. Gave some great assists and scored several match-winning goals. I don’t think you’ll find a club who would refuse to have Zalayeta on their bench.
COACH
Capello Fabio 9: Once again proved to the world why he is considered as the best tactician in the world. He knew how to get the best of his squad, note he used almost the same eleven throughout the entire season. Was tough with Del Piero but was able to get the best season out of him since his injury. If ever there was a book on football, be aware that Capello would have written a couple of chapters.
Abed Zeidan
Abed Zeidan Rates Juventus 2004/05
6/8/2005 3:47:00 PM
Abed Zeidan rates the winners of the Scudetto.
GOALKEEPERS
1. Buffon 8: Not as flashy as previous years due to a tighter defence (that’s a good thing), made some great saves when tested, did his job exceptionally as the last line of defence. In my opinion played his best game vs Bayer Munich in Munich. Both games vs Milan are up there.
12. Chimenti Antonio 5.5: You would think when you’re finally given the chance to play you’d give it 100%. That was not the case in Coppa Italia. Lazzari made a fool of him scoring 5 goals past him. Not really worth being the second string keeper for a team like Juventus. I expect him to leave this summer.
DEFENDERS
2. Ferrara Ciro 6: This rating is for the season of a substitute defender. Rarely played, but when on the field he never looked like he was gonna mess things up. A true professional who gives it his best, solid.
4. Montero Paolo 4: When on the field Juve’s defence resembled the defence with Legrottaglie in it. Gave 2 points away in the first game vs Parma and nearly caused an embarrassing loss vs Liverpool in Turin.
7. Pessotto Gianluca 6.5: One of the few players that deserve to be on the Juventus bench, a solid substitute that still can give to the team. Played a great game vs Real in Turin.
15. Birindelli Alessandro 5.5: Never looked like a threat to the other team neither looked like a weak link. His best days are behind him.
21. Thuram Lilian 8.5: On the ground, in the air, ramming opponents, Thuram played one of his best seasons at Juve, if not his best. His block shots were crucial. Drove Milan crazy in both games.
27. Zebina Jonathan 8: To be honest I was very critical when Juve signed Zebina last summer. He proved me and many others wrong. Played the best football of his career, his runs were effective and looked very solid in defence. He was finally called up to the French National Team.
28. Cannavaro Fabio 9: Exchanging Fabio for Carini was the steal of the season. Inter thought that he was washed up and are now kicking themselves. Even Galliani made fun of Inter by offering a youth player for Adriano. Was a lion in defence and his attacks proved crucial at times. Deserves to be the captain of Italy, did Inter know that? He finally added the Scudetto to his C.V, well deserved.
MIDFIELDERS
3. Tacchinardi Alessio 5: Did nothing the whole season, when called upon he never look liked like a threat. I’m sure if he goes somewhere where he is guaranteed first team football, he can prove to be useful.
8. Emerson 8: Never a flashy player, didn’t score that many goals but was killer in midfield. Allowed the defence to be more calm and also allowed Zambrotta to go on his trade-mark runs. Rarely lost a midfield battle. His performances have regained him a spot in the Brazilian National Team.
11. Nedved Pavel 7.5: He never looked like he was past his best, it was the injuries that ruined his season. Capello always had faith in him and he bagged Juve the 3 points when we were in a hole. Expect a great season from him next time around.
16. Camoranesi Mauro German 8.5: Terrorized defences everywhere, no one was able to nullify him. His crosses were incredible, too bad Trez wasn’t there to bang them in. Mauro has gotten better every season and deserves a staring shirt with the Azzurri.
18. Appiah Stephen 6: Scored some spectacular goals (2 as I recall), other than that nothing to remember. He should leave Juve and look for first team football to be really appreciated.
19. Zambrotta Gianluca 8.5: Zambrotta named the left side of the field as his own. No one could get passed him and no one could stop him. In my opinion, has taken over No. 1 spot for left backs. It seems likely that Capello will bring Chiellini as a left back and push Zambrotta into midfield where he can be more devastating.
20. Blasi Manuele 6: Never seemed to have the technical skills but was a bulldog in midfield. I’d prefer Gattuso over him though. Would be a good sub. It still confuses me to this day why Maresca wasn’t partnering Emerson in midfield.
23. Kapo Obou Narcisse Olivier 6: Never proved to Capello that he deserves to stay at the club, only memorable moment was his match-winning assist vs Lazio.
24. Olivera 6: Once labelled as the new Rivaldo by Moggi, he looks more like the old Rivaldo. Came down as a sub most of the time and never really did anything to be remembered.
FORWARDS
9. Ibrahimovic Zlatan 9: The best debut for a foreigner in Serie A since Shevchenko. Everyone watched Zlatan grow over the season into more of a team player (even though he’s not there yet). It looks like he’s beginning to learn how to hit the back of the net instead of the goalie. Not a natural finisher and ended up Juve’s highest scorer, imagine what he’ll do when he gets used to scoring goals.
10. Del Piero Alessandro 7.5: Started the season very quietly. Was subbed in almost every game for Zalayeta, this angered Alex but it also made him reflect on his situation and seemed lost at times but at the last part of the season he was Juve’s best player by far and showed everybody that he still has a lot to give. The ultimate professional.
17. Trezeguet David 7: His injuries would not go away, and when they finally did he caught a very rare virus. Scored at a rate of 1 goal for every 2 games. Not bad for a player looking to regain his form on several occasions. Was vital in the win vs Real.
25. Zalayeta Marcelo 7.5: Reminded me of Solskjaer the super-sub. Covered the absence of Trezeguet superbly. Gave some great assists and scored several match-winning goals. I don’t think you’ll find a club who would refuse to have Zalayeta on their bench.
COACH
Capello Fabio 9: Once again proved to the world why he is considered as the best tactician in the world. He knew how to get the best of his squad, note he used almost the same eleven throughout the entire season. Was tough with Del Piero but was able to get the best season out of him since his injury. If ever there was a book on football, be aware that Capello would have written a couple of chapters.
Abed Zeidan
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