On Sunday’s lunchtime kickoff, Juventus earned their second Serie A win of the season, but Sampdoria made them sweat until the very last second. Paulo Dybala broke the deadlock before tearfully leaving the pitch with an injury. Leonardo Bonucci doubled the lead for the hosts from the spot, but Maya Yoshida pulled one back before half time. Manuel Locatelli restored the Old Lady’s two-goal lead in the second period, but Antonio Candreva lightened up the last ten minutes putting the visitors back to a striking distance. Nonetheless, the Bianconeri held out, as it ended 3-2 at the Allianz Stadium. So here are the player ratings for the exciting clash between Juventus and Sampdoria.
Juventus XI
Mattia Perin – 6
The former Genoa goalkeeper was given his first Juventus start in over two years, and was left with no chance on either goal. Nonetheless, he seemed to be well-alert and preferred to make simple clearances.
Juan Cuadrado – 6
The Colombian looked solid in defense, helping his teammates in containing Quagliarella, but his attacking contribution was less than usual. He was the main culprit on Samp’s second goal when he cheaply lost the ball in midfield.
Matthijs de Ligt – 7
The former Ajax captain was a rock at the back, making one clearance after another, and also pulled off a vital interception in the second half.
Leonardo Bonucci – 6.5
The Euro 2020 winner put his name on the scoresheet after converting the spot kick, and did well when distributing the ball from the back. Was perhaps one of the guilty players on Yoshida’s goal.
Alex Sandro – 6.5
The Brazilian lost Yoshida ahead of Sampdoria’s first goal, but made a brilliant last-second interception on Quagliarella in the second half.
Federico Chiesa – 6.5
Even though it wasn’t his finest performance, the former Fiorentina star was behind two of his team’s goals. His shot resulted in the penalty kick, and his run inside the box eventually led to Juve’s third. Should have done better in finishing a chance early on when Dybala’s pass put him through.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6.5
An improved performance from the former Boca Juniors man who’s been struggling as of late. Won the ball back for Juventus on numerous occasions and almost grabbed a goal if it wasn’t for Audero’s fine save.
Manuel Locatelli – 7.5
The former Sassuolo man produced his best performance in a black and white jersey thus far. Set up Dybala’s goal with a sublime touch, and his chip found Chiesa ahead of the third, but he ended up scoring the goal himself.
Federico Bernardeschi – 5.5
The Italian fought hard for as long as he lasted, but failed to create danger on the Blucerchiati’s goal for as long as lasted on the pitch.
Paulo Dybala – 7.5
He only lasted for 20 minutes on the pitch before heartbreakingly walking away with what appeared to be an ankle injury, but he was by far the best player in the match during the opening period. Scored with a stunning low drive, and created brilliant chances for Chiesa and Morata.
Alvaro Morata – 5.5
A hard-working performance from the Spaniard, but he wasted a golden opportunity early on. He might have injured his left hamstring with his last shot before exiting the pitch.
Juventus Substitutes
Dejan Kulusevski – 6.5
Replacing Dybala’s skills and flair was never going to be easy, but the former Parma man managed to create the Old Lady’s third goal after snatching the ball from the opposition defenders and luring the goalkeeper off his goal.
Aaron Ramsey – 6
A decent outing from the former Arsenal man who found Morata with a good pass that could have culminated in a goal.
Giorgio Chiellini – 6
Spent most of his time battling Torregrossa, and won fouls that took the pressure off his team in key instances.
Weston McKennie – N/A
Moise Kean – N/A
400 – Against Sampdoria, Massimiliano #Allegri reached 400 Serie A games (195 with Juventus): 243 wins, 79 draws, 77 defeats. Milestone.#JuventusSampdoria #JuveSamp pic.twitter.com/i0XO2K9n4h
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) September 26, 2021
Sampdoria XI
Emil Audero – 7
Despite conceding thrice, the Italian was never at fault, and he kept Sampdoria in the match against his former side with two spectacular saves on Morata and Bentancur.
Bartosz Bereszynki – 6
The Polish defender was reliable as he kept Bernardeschi at bay, even if he his attacking contribution was almost non-existent.
Maya Yoshida – 6.5
The former Southampton man has become the surprising goal-scorer of his team with his third of the season, rising high in the air to meet Candreva’s cross. Did well against Morata, but should have done better on the third goal, as he was dispatched by Kulusevski.
Omar Colley – 7
A formidable defensive display from the underrated defender who bossed his area against Juve’s strikers. His lone mistake might be failing to properly clear the ball ahead of the hosts’ third goal.
Nicola Murru – 5.5
The former Cagliari man was handed a rare starting berth, but struggled to contain Chiesa at times, and gave away a penalty kick with a handball.
Fabio Depaoli – 5.5
The Italian right-back was thrusted in a higher than usual role. While he managed to contain Sandro’s danger, his presence didn’t add much on the attacking phase.
Morten Thorsby – 6
A battling performance as ever from the Norwegian, but he struggled in his personal battle against Locatelli.
Albin Ekdal – 5.5
Another former Juventus player. The Swede couldn’t stamp his authority on the middle of the park, and was rightfully subbed off early in the second half.
Antonio Candreva – 7.5
The former Lazio and Inter man once again proved that he still possesses all the tools needed to make the difference. Created his team’s first goal with a trademark cross and scored the second himself with a confident strike with his left.
Francesco Caputo – 5.5
Ciccio struggled to receive the ball between de Ligt and Bonucci, but he put Quagliarella through with a sublime backheel in the second half.
Fabio Quagliarella – 5.5
The veteran had a tough time against his former side, and was denied by Sandro on his most significant scoring opportunity.
Sampdoria Substitutes
Mikkel Damsgaard – 6.5
Lightened up the match when he stole the ball from Cuadradro and created the visitors’ second goal with a wonderful run.
Tommaso Augello – 6
The exciting left-back was an improvement on Murru but couldn’t deliver a killer cross.
Adrien Silva – 6.5
Bossed the midfield after coming in for Ekdal, and provided the assist for Candreva’s goal.
Ernesto Torregrossa – N/A
Kristoffer Askildsen – N/A
.@juventusfcen wins ✅ against @sampdoria_en and gets 3️⃣ important points ?, final result: 3-2! ?⚪⚫⚡#JuveSamp #SerieA ? #WeAreCalcio pic.twitter.com/C1ZcValYrW
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) September 26, 2021