Well, a good win and we really needed it. Of critical importance was holding on in the first 5-10 minutes where Palermo was cracking our defense like a can opener. Some really stellar play by Gigi, but some of the luck we didn't have against Samp helped us with the crossbar here. This could have easily been another come-from-behind problem by giving up the early goal.
Throughout most of the first half, Juve looked terrible in one-on-ones. The only thing beating Palermo in one-on-one situations was themselves. But thanks to Sissoko -- whose aggressive forward play, dribbling skills, and sweet finish schooled Iaquinta on how to play as a forward today -- we got a lead that really opened things up for us. We've been giving up the first goal far too often in recent games, and it has hurt us badly.
By the second half we absorbed a lot of pressure. The first part of the second half we let too much on ourselves and didn't counter enough. But somehow we managed to keep the lead. And thanks to Amauri for the insurance goal. Trez may have broke his duck, but that goal was all Amauri.
Buffon - 8 - Flawless game pretty much. Hard not to give him MOM.
Grygera - 5 - I really don't like this guy, and games like today prove why. What is it with our right backs? Whether Grygera or Mellberg, neither can make a simple upfield pass that does not immediately target the opposing team. Maddening. The only redeeming thing in his play was when Marchionni came on -- because then you realize he's no longer the worst player on the pitch for us.
Legrottaglie - 6.5 - Some great clears away from the box. Good play today.
Chiellini - 7 - Now that is the real Chiellini. Some errant passes upfield, but overall I can't knock having the real Chiellini back.
Molinaro - 6.5 - In the past few weeks, I would argue that Molinaro has arguably been our best defender. Whether that's a statement about Molinaro's tendency to play well for a while, or more a reflection of how poorly the rest of the defense was playing, is hard to say -- a bit of both. But Molinaro decided to play well today. Good crosses. Nice passing triangles with his teammates. And other than being upfield when an occasional wing attack came the other way, he prevented a lot of dangerous play.
Nedved - 6.5 - He found himself open with the ball a lot. Just that his choices with what to do with it were often a little questionable. Sometimes held on too long. But he wasn't slow today. He looked good and had a good pace with the ball.
Tiago - 6 - Good, albeit not great, outing.
Sissoko - 7.5 - He totally got schooled by Liverani in the first half, and it almost cost us. But I have to redeem him for not only some of his solid midfield play at both ends, but a fantastic goal that should make any forward envious. It changed the game at the right time too.
Camoranesi - 6 - That yellow card was bogus. Decent game, but not one of his better ones.
Trezeguet - 6.5 - He nailed the sitter from Amauri with a lucky bounce. But he looked pretty sharp. Extra points for some of his build-up play, even if he missed a pass here and there.
Iaquinta - 4.5 - Useless. Spent most of the time on his ass falling over. Took too deep desperation shots when he had a window. Didn't create anything with his teammates. Best play of the day was chesting the ball inadvertently back to Sissoko that lead to the first goal. Meaning: his best act was getting out of the way.
Subs:
Marchionni - 4 - Dreadful. He is quite literally a massive liability on the pitch. Can't hold possession. Can't create much on the wing (didn't at all for any crossing today). But worst of all, the guy cannot mark on defense any better than Stephen Hawking. Bad passes. Turnovers. It's like he has that cloud around him like Pig Pen on the Peanut's cartoon. But instead of dirt, it's lousy play. Useless.
Amauri - 7 - Brilliant play on the second goal. Some great footwork while he was on.
Poulsen - NR
Coach:
Ranieri - 6 - We won in Palermo due to some luck with not giving up the early goal, having a great play from Momo, and hanging on in the second half. This easily could have been a very different match. But the team settled down after the beginning and played a decent match overall. Subs? OK.