Here's the first installment of:
Views from the other side of the Pond:
Well, after convincing my mother to get GOL TV with the promise that i would visit her more often, I was able to watch the Brescia-Juve match, and here's my position by position analysis.
Buffon- Solikd game, but didn't have all that much to do , save for a couple of quality saves. Basically spent a lot of time intercepting Brescia's horrendous crosses.
Zambrotta- Solid, if unspectacular match. Didn't make any stupid mistakes, but didn't really stand out.
Thuram- played a very solid match. No foolish fouls, and quite a few well placed clearouts. Even pushed the ball up in attack a few times.
Cannavaro- Again, a nother solid match. Wasn't involved in a ny offense at all, but stayed at home, and filled his defensive reponsibilty very well. Still needs to regain a some fitness.
Zebina- He was my Man of the Match. Yes, you heard me correctly. I thought he played exeptionally well today. Seemed a little nervous early on, but then started to be more aggresive defensively, and was very instrrumental in pushing the ball up the right side of the pitch, moreso than Camo in my opinion. Very nicely placed pass to Trez for that 2nd goal. Played well on both sides of the ball.
nedved- Not a bad match. Started to come around after that header and started to assert himself a litlle more, even drifting towards the middle of the pitch when it was apparent that Emerson wasn't himself. A couple of close calls on some free kicks.
Emerson- So-So performance. yes, part of it could be attributed to his injury, but even before that, he had not made his presence felt. Played a little too far back for my tastes, but hopefully once Thuram and Canna begin to show more chemistry, then he can play further up.
Blasi- I've said it since I've been here, I like this kid. Strong game by Blasi. The defensive bully who takes no bullshit in the middle of the pitch. Good game overall. Committed some fouls early on, but that's his style. They were clean, hard fouls, and as the game wore on, he was able to displace the ball more cleanly.
Camo- Ugh. Its a tie between him and Del Piero for least impressive man on the pitch, but at least Del Piero was able to place a well aimed corner for nedved that led to the first goal. Zebina was more of a catalyst on the right than Camo. Oliveira needs to get some playing time there.
Del Piero- Corner kick aside, it was a disappointing performance for the captain. Quite honestly, he didn't do very much.
Trezeguet- You don't see him for most of the match, then Poof, he scores a backbreaking goal. It s what he gets paid to do, and he did it today.
Ibrahimovic- Now, the goal itself was prt Zlatan and part bad goalkeeping, but what he did to get in position to take that shot was amazing. Every time he touched the ball, there were two men on him, which is an early sign of respect. He's a giant of a man, and there will be sleepless nights ahead for opposing defenders for the next 7 years.
Oliveira/ tacchinardi- didn't do very much, so there' s not much to say.
There you have it. Good performance by Juve, and Brescia sans Baggio is absolutely nothing. Horrible set pieces, and no continuity at all. They need to place a call to Roby as soon as possible