Juventus got a much-needed win in their quest for Top four as they defeated Lazio 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico today. Two penalties from skipper Leonardo Bonucci saw the Bianconeri bag all three points and move up to sixth in the Serie A table, four behind fourth-placed Atalanta.
Lazio were without a few key players, most notably Ciro Immobile, and did not create much opportunities throughout the game. The Juve backline was solid with the attackers giving the Biancocelesti defenders a hard time on occasions.
Massimiliano Allegri will be quite pleased with his team’s performance, especially with matches against Chelsea and Atalanta around the corner.
Now, let’s take a look at how players from both teams fared in Rome today.
Lazio XI
Pepe Reina- 4.5
The Spaniard made a few interventions to prevent Juventus from scoring but made a silly challenge on Chiesa to concede the second penalty. Someone of Reina’s experience should not be making errors like this and he will be hoping to improve in the upcoming fixtures.
Manuel Lazzarri- 6
Created a very good chance at the start of the match but no one was in the right position to convert it. Often got forward but was unable to find good scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Luiz Felipe- 6.5
The Brazilian had a decent game and made a few crucial interventions to foil the Juventus attackers. Had one key pass and a passing accuracy of 89%. A lot will be expected from Felipe in the upcoming fixtures for Lazio.
Francesco Acerbi- 6
The 33-year-old had 87 touches and was dominant in the air throughout the game, not to forget his impressive passing accuracy of 96%. Tried to initiate an attack towards the end of the game but nothing came of it.
Elseid Hysaj- 6.5
The Albanian was one of the best Lazio players on the pitch today. He was good defensively, making some crucial interventions and tackles while often making attacking runs. However, could not do enough to prevent his team from defeat.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic- 6
The Serbian midfielder captained Lazio in Immobile’s absence but was unable to inspire his team to victory. Milinkovic-Savic tried to create chances through long-balls but the opposition backline was resolute enough to deny him.
Danilo Cataldi- 5
A mistimed tackle on Morata resulted in the penalty that led to Juventus’ opening goal. Had more touches than any other player and worked hard on the pitch. However, wasn’t quite effective.
Luis Alberto- 5
The Spaniard had an unusually quiet game and could not create much for his teammates. Alberto will have to produce better performances if Lazio are to seal a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Felipe Anderson- 6.5
The Brazilian was perhaps Lazio’s best player on the pitch and troubled the Juventus backline than any of his teammates. Anderson’s performance was perhaps the only positive to take from what was a dismal encounter for Lazio.
Pedro- 5.5
The Spaniard started as a false-nine in Immobile’s absence but was unable to do anything outside the ordinary. Pedro had a chance to open the scoring when Lazzarri sent in a lowly-delivered cross but he was too far away to connect with the ball.
Mattia Zaccagni- 5.5
The 26-year-old made his first Serie A start in three months and did not have the best of outings thanks to the rigidity of the Juventus backline.
Lazio substitutes
Vedat Muriqi- 5.5
Came on for Zaccagni in the second half and probably had Lazio’s best scoring opportunity of the match.
Raul Moro- 5
Came on for Cataldi but did not have much to offer
Toma Basic- N/A
Juventus XI
Wojciech Szczesny- 6.5
The Polish international was back in the starting XI after missing the Fiorentina fixture due to injury. Szczesny was not tested a lot but was up to the task whenever needed. The 31-year-old kept his third clean sheet of the season.
Danilo- N/A
The Brazilian had to be stretchered off the pitch after suffering an injury early in the game. Danilo will be on the sidelines for some time which will be a major blow for Juve, especially given that they have some very important fixtures coming up.
Leonardo Bonucci- 9
The centre-back was donning the captain’s armband today and put in a fine performance. Apart from the two goals, Bonucci was solid at the back as well. He actually had a chance to score a hat-trick but the team will be just as satisfied with his brace. Maybe Roberto Mancini should give Italy’s penalty duties to the 34-year-old during the World Cup qualifiers.
Matthijs de Ligt- 7
The Dutchman put in a good performance at the back along with Bonucci, making a number of interventions to trouble the Lazio attackers. De Ligt had a passing accuracy of 92%.
Manuel Locatelli- 7
As always, the midfielder worked hard throughout the pitch and shielded the backline well. Was subbed off towards the end of the match.
Juan Cuadrado- 6.5
The Colombian had 79 touches and was always involved in Juventus’ attacks. With Danilo injured, there is a good chance we could see Cuadrado starting at right-back in the upcoming fixtures.
Weston McKennie- 5.5
The 23-year-old had a rather quiet game.
Adrien Rabiot- 6.5
The Frenchman successfully completed three dribbles and had a passing accuracy of 88% throughout the match. However, Rabiot suffered an injury towards the end of the match and may miss a few upcoming fixtures.
Luca Pellegrini- 6
The 22-year-old made only his second start of the season and put in a decent performance, especially defensively. Offensively though, Pellegrini could have done more.
Alvaro Morata- 6.5
The Spaniard conceded the penalty that led to Juve’s first goal and had a good chance to double their lead, only for his volley to go over the bar. He was eventually subbed off for Kean.
Federico Chiesa- 7.5
The 24-year-old had a fairly good game and was often troubling the Lazio backline. Chiesa had a chance to score but took a lot of time to shoot. However, Reina fouled him and it led to Juve getting the penalty that saw them doubling their lead.
Juventus substitutes
Dejan Kulusevski- 6.5
The Swiss international came on early, replacing the injured Danilo. He had a good chance to extend Juve’s lead early in the second half but his shot was blocked.
Moise Kean- 5.5
The striker came on for Morata in the 74th minute and had a few shots on goal.
Rodrigo Bentancur- N/A