Storari - 6 - didn't have a single thing to do today other than that spectacular reaction save on Menez's shot in the first half.
Chiellini - 8 - time and time again he's proven himself as the stalwart of our backline, no exception today. quick thinking, cutting out danger preemptively, reacting to danger, and again cutting it out no problem, winning 1-vs-1 duels, no problem, strong in the air, tough in the tackle, he does it all really. he's perfectly built in the model of traditional Italian defenders (strong, ruthless, with heart) and should be an an example for any aspiring CB. provided one of the funniest moments of the season when refusing to go off, opting to ignore the ref and elaborately sitting down, instead of leaving the pitch. could have been booked for dissent, I suppose, but still good for a laugh. showed his spirit, again.
Bonucci - 6 - had an alright game, I suppose, but greatly overshadowed by his central partner. didn't make many mistakes, as I recall, minus the being caught far up field on an attempted attacking movement in the second half. Sorensen to the rescue then.
Soresen - 6.5-7 - his passing needs work, or it's possible that's it's nerves, he's 18, after all, and starting in a high-tension match. I was really impressed by his performance today. showed himself as very secure and responsible at the back, positioning himself well, making some nice tackles, and best of all, providing cover for his line. his height is certainly a plus, and in a couple of years, physically, he's going to be imposing as hell.
Grosso - 5.5 - did alright from what I can remember, although nothing really stood out, negatively, or positively. perhaps someone can refresh me, in this respect?
Aquilani - 7 - when he has the ball, he looks like he has all the time in the world, that's how composed he is, unlike some of our players who treat the ball like it's a ticking time bomb. even under pressure he manages to deal with it in a slick manner. the fans love him already, as evidenced by their cheers. really had a point to prove against his old team mates and didn't disappoint, shows good character, I'd say. brilliant nutmeg and cross for Iaquinta to convert. faded a little in the second half, but forgiveable.
Melo - 6 - not himself today. many misplaced passes, wasn't as dominating as we've come to know, didn't get stuck in (either through challenges or whatever). made one fantastic run into their box, cutting back two of their defenders, and if only the chance had been converted...oh well.
Marchisio - 6 - alright display, a little lost in the midfield I feel. had quite a number of attempted through passes intercepted, didn't really provide us with any strength, for that matter. could have tried to volley that great Pepe cross late on, but no matter.
Pepe - 6.5 - good game, today. provided a lot of nice crosses that could have been used better, got forward a lot, but you can see his lack of technical ability holds him back from ever really becoming a 'great' player'. the will is there, sometimes the ideas, as well, just not the necessary skill for it to consistently come off. makes up for this through hard work. unfortunate that his reflex action cost us a penalty, but really, by this level not doing this sort of thing should be ingrained in one's mind.
Iaquinta - 6 - well, it's tough to rate him, actually. painfully frustrating player as one minute he's missing a sitter while exhibiting his donkey-like touch, the next minute, he scores a goal van Basten would be proud of. I really don't know what to make of this guy, heh.
Quagliarella - 6- good game, but more so a game of 'almosts', rather than any proper product. all-around display as a forward, dribbling, passing, shooting, positioning himself, all very well done. he's a threat, and I hope we keep him.
Subs
Del Piero - 3.5 - absolute horror show from him today, more embarrassing than scary, though. couldn't control a single ball, ruined numerous forward movements, proved himself too weak and slow, and had me shaking my head with his freekick-seeking antics. nothing more to say other than he's damaging his reputation at this point and I don't want to see him in the new stadium. period.
Amauri - n/a - did nothing noteworthy.
Traore - 4.5 - out of his depth, clearly. he was, honestly, a deer caught in headlights much of the time. at one stage, he was near the byline, immobile, while a team mate desperately looked for him to move into space to receive the ball. made a fantastic tackle on Vucinic, I think it was, though. maybe with a run of games he'll settle down, but I have my reservations.
Chiellini - 8 - time and time again he's proven himself as the stalwart of our backline, no exception today. quick thinking, cutting out danger preemptively, reacting to danger, and again cutting it out no problem, winning 1-vs-1 duels, no problem, strong in the air, tough in the tackle, he does it all really. he's perfectly built in the model of traditional Italian defenders (strong, ruthless, with heart) and should be an an example for any aspiring CB. provided one of the funniest moments of the season when refusing to go off, opting to ignore the ref and elaborately sitting down, instead of leaving the pitch. could have been booked for dissent, I suppose, but still good for a laugh. showed his spirit, again.
Bonucci - 6 - had an alright game, I suppose, but greatly overshadowed by his central partner. didn't make many mistakes, as I recall, minus the being caught far up field on an attempted attacking movement in the second half. Sorensen to the rescue then.
Soresen - 6.5-7 - his passing needs work, or it's possible that's it's nerves, he's 18, after all, and starting in a high-tension match. I was really impressed by his performance today. showed himself as very secure and responsible at the back, positioning himself well, making some nice tackles, and best of all, providing cover for his line. his height is certainly a plus, and in a couple of years, physically, he's going to be imposing as hell.
Grosso - 5.5 - did alright from what I can remember, although nothing really stood out, negatively, or positively. perhaps someone can refresh me, in this respect?
Aquilani - 7 - when he has the ball, he looks like he has all the time in the world, that's how composed he is, unlike some of our players who treat the ball like it's a ticking time bomb. even under pressure he manages to deal with it in a slick manner. the fans love him already, as evidenced by their cheers. really had a point to prove against his old team mates and didn't disappoint, shows good character, I'd say. brilliant nutmeg and cross for Iaquinta to convert. faded a little in the second half, but forgiveable.
Melo - 6 - not himself today. many misplaced passes, wasn't as dominating as we've come to know, didn't get stuck in (either through challenges or whatever). made one fantastic run into their box, cutting back two of their defenders, and if only the chance had been converted...oh well.
Marchisio - 6 - alright display, a little lost in the midfield I feel. had quite a number of attempted through passes intercepted, didn't really provide us with any strength, for that matter. could have tried to volley that great Pepe cross late on, but no matter.
Pepe - 6.5 - good game, today. provided a lot of nice crosses that could have been used better, got forward a lot, but you can see his lack of technical ability holds him back from ever really becoming a 'great' player'. the will is there, sometimes the ideas, as well, just not the necessary skill for it to consistently come off. makes up for this through hard work. unfortunate that his reflex action cost us a penalty, but really, by this level not doing this sort of thing should be ingrained in one's mind.
Iaquinta - 6 - well, it's tough to rate him, actually. painfully frustrating player as one minute he's missing a sitter while exhibiting his donkey-like touch, the next minute, he scores a goal van Basten would be proud of. I really don't know what to make of this guy, heh.
Quagliarella - 6- good game, but more so a game of 'almosts', rather than any proper product. all-around display as a forward, dribbling, passing, shooting, positioning himself, all very well done. he's a threat, and I hope we keep him.
Subs
Del Piero - 3.5 - absolute horror show from him today, more embarrassing than scary, though. couldn't control a single ball, ruined numerous forward movements, proved himself too weak and slow, and had me shaking my head with his freekick-seeking antics. nothing more to say other than he's damaging his reputation at this point and I don't want to see him in the new stadium. period.
Amauri - n/a - did nothing noteworthy.
Traore - 4.5 - out of his depth, clearly. he was, honestly, a deer caught in headlights much of the time. at one stage, he was near the byline, immobile, while a team mate desperately looked for him to move into space to receive the ball. made a fantastic tackle on Vucinic, I think it was, though. maybe with a run of games he'll settle down, but I have my reservations.
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