OK, match report time...
Holy crap! I haven't seen Juve manhandle a team like this in years! I mean, I cannot even remember the last time I seen them play with this sort of confidence, composure, and cool. Where the ^#%$ did that all come from suddenly?
The opening day against Livorno was kind of like this, but not quite. Palermo certainly did little to make us struggle. They really did make us look good out there. But the team was playing as if they were out to take advantage of any favors. They weren't looking for the cheap goals.
Even when this match was 0-0 in the first half, you could sense that anything less than a drubbing would be a disappointment. Fortunately, Juve did not disappoint. The midfield was tremendous -- ball direction, control, passing. Stellar.
The finishing was very good, and there was a lot of creative play in the run-ups. And a lot of great plays on the break. Defensively, we were solid, chased down balls, headed things out of the way of danger, and snatched away the threat anytime things for Palermo looked promising. About the only disappointment was the crossing, which was generally horrendous.
Buffon - 7 - Did everything we needed when he was rarely tested. Good captaincy from the back, given the backline shuffle.
Zebina - 6 - Held up well. Didn't pull any crazy fouls. Got engaged in the attack and generally didn't let anything through on defense. Could have closed down a cross here and there, but that's about it.
Legrottaglie - 7 - Is this the same Legro from three years ago??? He was nimble on his feet, running circles around Palermo's attack. Like a professional bomb diffuser, he stepped in and took control of most any situation that looked like trouble. Some nice headers too on set pieces.
Criscito - 6 - Also held up very well in central defense. I was surprised that he played forward as much as he did. His defending was good, but I would have given him better marks if he handled his upfield passes better. A little too often he would turn the ball over on long-ball passes upfield when a clearance wasn't necessary, or he often overshot his target.
Molinaro - 6.5 - Why the hell am I giving this guy a 6.5? Well, part of it is that he didn't totally blow it in opportunities where he could have. The bigger part of it that he was the Forest Gump of the match (FGM) -- it always seemed like he was in the right place at the right time or the ball would come to him opportunistically. A better player would have converted more of those opportunities -- as he had quite a few up field. A cross here that went awry. Some good play with Nedved and the midfield. And generally prevented crosses and held his line in defense.
Nedved - 8 - What can an international break and retiring from the NT buy you? I don't know what exactly, but Neddy needs to bottle it. He was a lion out there. Great ball control, great vision, great distribution. He wreaked havoc on offense. He even made a few good shots on goal (and some great assists) -- cut off only by sharp plays by Barzagli and the GK. He got things going the other way on defense. Someone in midfield needs to win MOM, and he gets my vote. But that last PK given was not a foul -- good thing it didn't matter.
Nocerino - 6.5 - Good distribution. Not as effective on either end of the pitch as he was in the very middle. But was an engine among the rest of our midfield.
Zanetti - 7 - Quietly played his game. And when the midfield roars like that, you know he must be involved behind the scenes -- and he was.
Camoranesi - 6 - Weakest of the midfield bunch. He seemed a little out of form. Some ok ball distribution, but didn't do as much creatively with his touches as he's normally capable of. And some of his corner kicks? :sick:
Iaquinta - 7 - A staple on this team. Proved yet again why he was a great trade for the Juve front office, despite my and everyone else's questions. Relentless and a fighter.
Trezeguet - 7 - Limited touches as always, but made the most of them. But too many of them were down on the wing. What's with him playing Camo's role? That guy is a finisher and we need him front and center. Great heads-up goal to open things up.
Subs:
Del Piero - 8 - Brilliant off the bench. Classic set piece mastery, and you knew it was just coming. Great distribution and, dare I say, some speed in motion in attack... much unlike his sloth-like performances of late. Must have springs in his boots, because he may have been my MOM if he played the whole game.
Palladino - NR - Didn't add much and wasn't on too long. Not enough to really say much here.
Marchionni - 6.5 - Patient, patient, patient goal with service from Del Piero. Nice finish though. Played a little better than Camo added on the pitch, but by the time he came on the field had opened up a lot due to the scoreline.
Coach:
Ranieri - 6.5 - Ranieri pitched as close to a perfect game as you can get this season. That said, Tiago still sitting on the bench is continually wasteful -- given what we've seen him capable of in his few starts. Fortunately, we didn't need it. But big points for getting the team in a zone out there today that looked like they could take on anybody with confidence, despite the backline injury woes, etc.
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