Player Ratings...
Buffon- 6/10. Flapped at the ball on more than one occasion, and very nearly gifted Ronaldo an equalizer towards the end of the game, when needing 3 or 4 attempts to bring the ball down from the air and smother it safely. Seemed worryingly prone to calamity.
Sali- 8/10. The more I see Brazzo here, on the left of our defence, the more secure I feel, about a position which for the last season and beyond I have felt very cautious and suspicious of. COnsidering he was up against one of the world's finest wingers, Brazzo did wicked. Only beaten once or twice in situations when he allowed Ronaldo to move on to get a shot direct on goal. Supported the attack well, took his goal brilliantly. No errors, only positives...
Grygera-6/10. On this form, which is not far from what seems to be his best, I will hope that Caceres can come in and steal the position, or Zebina, for that matter, because both, are likely much more welcome, in terms of strength, positioning and distribution, than the Czech Golem. Did not far well against Drenthe and co, which made it hard for Camo to get forward as muc h as he would have liked.
Chiellini- Gorgeous challenge through the back of Ronaldo in the first half...Fucked up on the Raul challenge, but was there any hope of staying on his feet with Raul pushing the ball to a position where he could shoot across goal? SOmething had to be done. Other than that tackle, he was imperious in the air, fast enough and mean enough on the floor. Definitely an improvement in the Canna/CHiellini partnership. Though the defence also looked secure, with Legro on for the second half. 7/10
Cannavarro- Calmer, equally strong and a better reader of the flow of the game than his defensive apprentice. Took his goal with conviction, made several last man challenges. Still rusty, but improving and definitely a good influence to have on our defence. His experience was and will be essential to our cause...7.5/10.
Melo- Highlight of the first half was a cruncher on Ronaldo. Showed great control and decent vision, when winning the ball and then beginning our attacking play with more guile than hooving the ball to amauri. A sissoko with less energy, and far better technique. Made several very important challenges in front of our back four. 8/10.
Tiago- While he did little wrong, he hardly showed himself as a useful cog in the team, which was unfortunate after his recent good run of form in pre season. played a few decent passes, but generally was too weak, and lacking invention. I look forward to seeing something more from him against the Villans. 6/10.
Camo- Vicious, capricious, randomly skillful, childishly petulant, lucky not to receive a second yellow card for any one of several needless fouls. Covered the right flank competently, but lacked decent support from Grygera. His passing abilities are needed, if we are without Diego in the middle of the park, but this was not one of the Argie's best games...Still, at least he didn't pick up any new injuries. 6.5/10.
Giovinco- Brilliant in flashes, but showing that he is perhaps more suited to a wide left position, than an in the hole attacking midfielder, as he played last night. Great pace, some lovely passes and ideas, but let down by his strength and an overcrowding in the middle of the pitch of the final third. He was involved in the build up to both of our goals..Winning the free kick for DP to loft in to Canna, and then turning his man to cross for Camo to force Dudek into conceding the corner which DP swung in at the near post for Sali. So two team assist...7/10.
Del Piero- Two assists, without ever looking likely to score himself. Worked tirelessly from start to finish, linked up well with the midfield and Amauri, and generally gave the Madrid defence constant problems, especially with set plays. 7/10.
Amauri- I was impressed with his touch, at killing the ball with one touch when received at pace even from large distances. Other than that, he held the ball up well, but did little else of note, as an attacking threat, other than bother Pepe and co. Should have been replaced far earlier by Iaquinta, or Trez. On that form, I cannot see what he brings to the front line which makes him ahead of those two in the pecking order, if there is one. 6/10.
Legro- Solid, shored the aerial defences, and was a nuisance in attack at set plays. Didn't improve or worsen our vulnerability in the middle on the floor with his entrance. Solid...7/10.
Zannetti...Marrone...Iaquinta...not on long enough to grab a rating, though none of them did anything rash or risky. And the youngster managed to crunch i think both Drenthe and another madrid player or three, so well done on that score, kiddo.
Ciro- Was unfortunate to lose diego before the game. Also lacking Momo and any trustworthy cover at left back...We won, though we were over-run for much of the first half. Second period was far more even. We took our goals well, and when it came to REAL chances, we were not too far off the count of our opponents. And unlike them we could threaten with multiple ideas, rather just the one tactic of GIVE THE BALL TO RONALDO. We looked solid in defence against high quality attackers. Though...the 4-3-1-2 did not look great against Madrid. especially on our right flank. Where Grygera was often exposed to more than he can handle. Its a shame Ciro didn't put Giovinco in attack, and pull DP back into the hole, as this could have made better use of the atomic ant's pace. Still, no injuries, a decent scalp and a final to look forward to against the Villa...we have Momo, De Ceglie, Diego and Zebina to come back into the team and also new signing Caceres...Many reasons to be cheerful.