It’s the dawn of the Pirlo era at Juventus, as the Bianconeri began their title defense in style with a comfortable win over Claudio Ranieri’s Sampdoria. Here are our player ratings for the men involved in the Allianz Stadium Clash between Juventus and Sampdoria.
Juventus
Wojciech Szczęsny: 6.5
A spectator for most of the match, but was present to deny a dangerous header late in the game.
Danilo: 6.5
The odd addition for the defensive trio. He looked confused at times in his more central role but still roamed forward occasionally and threatened Emil Audero with his long-range shots.
Leonardo Bonucci: 7.5
Revived thanks to the return of his favorite formation and his best defensive partner. He threaded the ball forward with precision and was gifted the easiest of goals after a fumble in the Sampdoria defense.
Giorgio Chiellini: 7
A dominant display at the back by the aging captain as he looked physically sharp once again.
Juan Cuadrado: 6.5
A typical Cuadrado display. It’s always fun to watch him roam on the right flank. He helped in the play build-up but was also wasteful at times.
Aaron Ramsey: 8
A man of the match display by the Welsh midfielder, who was allowed the freedom of playing behind the strikers. His passing was sublime and he caused trouble for the Samp defenders with his high pressing. He ended the night with a beautiful assist for Ronaldo.
Weston McKennie: 7.5
A great debut for the young American who ran all over the pitch for 90 mins, winning countless balls for his side and linking up well with his teammates. Perhaps he reminded the Juventus supporters of a young Arturo Vidal.
Adrien Rabiot: 6
A relatively quiet display from the Frenchman. He lost the ball several times in dangerous areas and was lucky not to get booked for his foul on Gastón Ramirez.
Gianluca Frabotta: 6.5
The surprise package in Pirlo’s formation. After looking hesitant for the first 45 mins, he bursted into life after the break with some dangerous runs from the left.
Dejan Kulusevski: 7.5
He didn’t need much time to introduce himself to his new fanbase, scoring the opener with a neat finish into the far corner, making it look very simple. He also linked really well with Ronaldo and Ramsey.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 7
Perhaps the only player in the world who can waste up to five scoring opportunities and we’d still believe that he will eventually find the back of the net at some point. The Portuguese star could have easily had a hat-trick on Sunday night but should be satisfied to score on week 1 for the first time in his Serie A career.
Substitutes
Mattia De Sciglio: 6
He was expected to start tonight, but had a decent second half outing and almost scored a goal.
Rodrigo Bentancur: N/A
Douglas Costa: N/A
Merih Demiral: N/A
Aaron Ramsey appeared regenerated on Sunday night as Juventus put three past Sampdoria: He is our Man of the Match in our player ratings
Sampdoria
Emil Audero: 6
He made some good saves on Ronaldo, Frabotta, and McKennie shots, but his positioning on the third goal could have been better.
Bartosz Bereszyński: 5.5
A tough night for the right-back as his botched clearance gifted Juventus a second goal.
Omar Colley: 6.5
A solid display from the Gambian defender who fought hard against Ronaldo and did fairly well for most of the match.
Lorenzo Tonelli: 5
His match started with an early booking so he eventually had to be taken off at half-time. He struggled against Ramsey’s pressing.
Tommaso Augello: 5.5
He usually enjoys roaming forward but was pegged back by Cuadrado and Kulusevski.
Fabio Depaoli: 5.5
His run and shot was the most dangerous Blucerchiati act in the first half but that still didn’t save him from a disappointing half-time substitution.
Morten Thorsby: 5.5
He tried to support the forwards and join in the attacking plays, but his technique failed him in the final third.
Albin Ekdal: 6
The skipper fought hard all night long and tried to keep his side in the match, but was eventually overwhelmed by the quality of the opponents.
Mehdi Léris: 6
Another player who was taken off at half-time. The former Chievo man didn’t play badly, but he had to make way for better attacking options.
Jakub Jankto: 5
He was barely noticed all match long. A night to forget for the former Udinese prospect.
Federico Bonazzoli: 5.5
He remained isolated during the first half. He did better during the second with the introduction of Quagliarella and Ramirez, but still lost most of his battles against the Juve defenders.
Substitutes
Maya Yoshida: 6
One of three players introduced immediately after the break. He looked more solid than Tonelli.
Gastón Ramirez: 6.5
His skills and movements caused some trouble for the Juventus defense early in the second half and reignited his team’s hopes before conceding the second goal.
Fabio Quagliarella: 6
The veteran Italian might have entered the twilight of his career, but he proved to be his club’s most dangerous striker as he almost found the back of the net on one or two occasions.
Valerio Verre: N/A
Mikkel Damsgaard: N/A
