++ [ originally posted by gray
] ++
My ratings (P.S. I might say "today") even though the match was yesterday, but that's because my internet connection is stuffed so I couldn't watch the stream, and I had to download the match at uni and watch it there (after making sure I didn't visit the forums or talk to any of my friends who are football fans for the whole day).
Buffon -7- - Didn't make any of his spectacular diving/reaction saves, but dealt with everything extremely well, especially considering the pressure we were under during the 2nd half. His positioning was spot-on to the extent that it left Sheva confused, and he did great to punch out Sheva's effort.
Also did well to save Inzaghi's initial effort after Sheva's perfect cross into the center.
I really want to give Buffon 7.5 just for the sheer look of concentration and determination on his face. I was cheering my ass off alongside Buffon
Pessotto -6- - Nothing spectacular, but did his job well in Zebina's stead. Speaking of which, even though Zebina gives us more attacking options down the right, perhaps it's fortunate that we had the more defensive-minded Pessotto at RB today. Dealt fairly well with everything that came down the left.
Thuram -8- - Absolutely rock solid. The only mistake I remember him making was missing Rui Costa's cross to Sheva, who fortunately misdirected his header.
The moment that summed up Thuram's performance for me was when he confidently cut out a Milan attack and galloped all the way up the pitch to attack. I also loved the way he was yelling at the troops to keep their heads up and take the points home
Good on him for not reacting childishly to Inzaghi's provocation. As the commentator said "Inzaghi is lucky that he chose to pick on a big man who doesn't tend to fall to the ground theatrically" Forza Thuram
Cannavaro -8- - I said earlier in the season that it's usually impossible to seperate these two in terms of performance, and that rings true today. Canna was his usual solid self and dealt well with. I absolutely love watching this guy when an opposing player has room for a shot; he absolutely throws himself at the ball without even thinking. It would have been
very harsh to award a penalty against him. Another memorable moment was when he stuck out his toe to crucially stop a ball floating into the centre.
and how about that backwards header that was saved by Dida? Oliver Bierhoff would have been proud of that! He wears the number 28 for a reason...damn I love Cannavaro
Zambrotta -7.5- - Zambrotta was immense today. I was saying before that we should cash in on Zambro should the right offer come in, but he proved today that he's virtually irreplaceable at left-back. He was always where he needed to be in defence, and although he didn't get involved in attack as much as I would have liked him to, Zambrotta was constantly terrorising Milan's wide men on the flanks with his trademark galloping runs.
Maybe an extra 0.5 just for putting his life on the line to stop Pippo from scoring. I was yelling my ass off when Zambro did that, as was Buffon, who "celebrated like he'd just won the championship" to quote the commentator once again.
I liked his bicycle kick clearance too
Camoranesi -7- - Got involved well in both attack and defence, and throughout the whole match he was either running at Milan's defenders or tracking back to harrass them in defence. Didn't put a foot wrong all game until he got injured. If it weren't for Camo, we'd have close to zero creativity in our team. One of our best players this season, definitely the most improved.
Nedved -6.5- - Pavel looked a little bit out of sorts today, but he showed great determination and got off a couple of good shots in succession. Our attacking movement didn't go through him as much as usual, but Neddy always distributed the ball well when he had it.
Emerson -7- - It was great to see Emerson back in the team, and there's not a doubt in my mind that he makes the team look three times as solid as we are without him. Emo played his usual game, breaking down attacks and making his presence felt in midfield. Maybe should have done better from Trezeguet's cross, but kudos to him for being in the right place.
Appiah -6.5- - I'm still not convinced that Appiah is Juve material, but he had a much improved performance today. He had a calamitous touch on the edge of the box that could have easily led to a goal, but apart from that he had a good performance. Doesn't look like he has the creativity necessary for someone who plays alongside Emerson, but he did have one good moment where he slipped the ball through 3 defenders after holding the ball up well. Apart from that though, he usually just makes the routine 2 metre passes, but that's probably for the best
Del Piero -7- - Del Piero really showed some determination today, and he truly looked like he wanted to win. It was good to see him dribbling at defenders even though he lost the ball once or twice.
I was cheering for Del Piero when Collina gave the free kick against him when he won the ball after some scrappy play from Maldini, then Alex got pissed off and threw the ball down with both hands. Nice to see some passion in his eyes instead of the usual sheepish frown he puts on after falling meekly to the floor.
As for the assist... well, what can I say? It was simply sublime. Sure, the ball to Trez could have been a bit less loopy, but I'd like to see anyone else do any better from an overhead cross
Unlucky for him that he hit the bar :frown: Nice curling shot in the first half too.
One of Alex's best performances of the season, rewarded with a full 90 minutes.
Forza Alex.
Trezeguet -6.5- - It's always difficult to give Trez a rating, because he simply doesn't get involved in the play... so I usually have to rate Trezegoal on his own personal scale. The goal was well taken considering the circumstances; he reacted well and directed his header where Dida couldn't stop it.
It was great to see Trez on the score sheet, and he even got a few passes in here and there.
He proved once again that he scores goals when he's on the pitch, and I'll be very sad to see Trez leave us, even if he's replaced by someone who gets involved a little more. One of the best finishers in the world by a longshot.
Birindelli (no rating) - Even though his introduction limited our attacking options, he did his job fairly well, and even got forward right after he was subbed on. Biri is a real battler who gives everything for the team; just look at the way he jumped like a madman and landed awkwardly.
Blasi (no rating) - Didn't do much apart from wasting time on the free kick, but good on him for doing so
I've always liked Blasi, even if he doesn't have the most delicate of touches.
Zalayeta (no rating) - Again, didn't really do much, but he was probably more suited to the situation than Trez, since he holds the ball up well and gets involved in the play a bit more. Nice backheel pass to Nedved
Capello -7- - I think he put out the best possible team given his options, and he also made the right substitutions (even though they were pretty routine). Kudos to him for rewarding Del Piero's performance with a full 90 minutes. It was good to see some emotion on his face in the closing minutes of the game, yelling at Pavel to get his ass off the floor and get back to defend
Whether you like him or not, Capello has done great for our team considering the lack of depth in our squad and the various injury/suspension problems he's faced. His style doesn't cater for the most attractive football, but it's sure as hell effective. The way we went out to Liverpool in the CL was pretty humiliating, and I must admit I questioned some of Capello's decisions (i.e. playing Olivera), but Fabio knows what he's doing, and if he brings us the scudetto this season, it'll be a huge achievement and another addition to Capello's credentials. Grazie Capello.
Forza Juve
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