Exactly. He was a good player and a good soldier for us, and then we threw him out without a second glance. It's obvious how much this game meant to him and you hate to see it end the way it did. I know it's meelan, but I hope we give Higgy a warm welcome (and I mean that without irony) during the return leg.
Allegri: "Bonucci’s exclusion? He knew since yesterday, he needed to rest a bit, then they also insulted him when he went under the curva. It was the right thing to do, today he had to stay out." Yup, sounds like simple rotation to me.
Le pagelle di Milan-Juventus 0-2: Ronaldo trascinatore, incubo … Milan-Juventus, le pagelle | Goal.com Pagelle Milan – Juventus 0-2: Mandzukic e Ronaldo espugnano il San …
He still has black and white stripes under that rossoneri shirt. Not his fault he is not still with us unlike a few others we could name. That is the difference between Max and Rino. Max read the situation with BonBon well. Rino not so much.
Probably not. Higuain has never been a big-game player. I had high hopes for him when we signed him back in 2016. I thought coming to Juve could see him make that leap from very good to elite striker, but alas, it didn't happen. Mandzukic, on the other hand, might be less talented but has a habit of delivering big goals in crunch matches. That's a rare yet highly sought-after quality. He's the sort of player who could have probably sealed the win versus Man United in mid-week.
It was obvious Higuaín was nervous. I'm sure he wanted to have a great game against Juve especially because of the way they got rid of him but it wasn't to be. He was probably wanting it too much.
Huge contrast to Wednesday's game. -Mandzukic finished a much harder chance relative to Cuadrado's miss. Huge upgrade in that regard. -Juve never got too deep unlike the last 10 minutes vs United. The defensive block was almost always beyond their own box. They killed the game by attacking, holding possession, and pressing higher for 90 minutes. -Juve made changes to maintain their midfield presence rather than bolster their defense. Costa came in for Dybala to help link defense and attack. Khedira positioned himself close to the attacking line as he normally likes to. This approach is less risky than inviting pressure. Juve created far less tonight than they did in Turin midweek yet finished their chances for the most part.
Juve need to score 4-5 goals in a game. It's time they really break out and let loose. Max has to let them play all out football. I'm anxiously waiting to see it happen.
To me this is the biggest problem with VAR. With the slow mo, it gives the ref an unrealistic viewpoint that is unavailable on any other action of the match. In real time the ball caromed off Higgy and bounced up and hit Benatia's hand. It all looked to be one motion. By slowing it down it exaggerated the movement of Benatia's arm and made it look like he MIGHT have moved his arm towards the ball - which I think was a false impression. There was a similar event against Milan and they didn't even look at it. I don't think either was a deliberate handball and since that is what you need for a PK neither should have been given. But now, anything close is going to go against us with all the moaning of us getting all the calls in Italy. I guess we are just going to have to live with it.
You may be waiting a long time. I was pleased to see us keep pressing high even at the end for once. When we drop too deep to "see out a game" it gives me ulcers watching the ball move around the penalty box.
I feel a bit for Higgy. What happened was somewhat predictable though; https://www.football-italia.net/130586/pipitas-night-pain
Exactly. I have no issue as long as they don't take unnecessary risks by voluntarily inviting pressure. Juve didn't allow Milan the space they gave United. Juve initiated the press as soon or soon after Milan crossed the halfway line while the backline stayed beyond the edge of their box. Obviously on the few occasions where Milan did break the first pressure and were able to get themselves in decent positions, Juve's block retreated. Yet it was never easy for Milan in the way it was for United. As a result, the ending of the match felt like Juve were much more in control. It was a great response and hopefully lessons have been learned. I still have my doubts as to whether the team will take that approach in a KO scenario. It's one thing to play that way in a long league format and another when everything is on the line.
Just tuned in to the match before the Ajax kickoff. What is the significance of the red face paint dashes that both teams and match official have.