It doesn't, that's why Matuidi looked so lost the entire game. Not an encouraging sign to still be falling apart in the 2nd half just like with Allegri, the ******** is wrong with these players
it could be one last gasp effort to showcase these guys that sarri wanted gone. but realistically, no decent team is going to spend that kind of money on guys who are two years away from retirement, guys who were rejects from PSG and Real Madrid. it could have also been a test run to see if it can work since parma is a very weak team. the funny thing is you add up their wages, juve could have splashed some real cash on an elite midfielder, but instead they keep trying to recreate the magic from the Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba free transfers... it will never happen again tho. the trouble in being stuck with Blaise and Sami is foreshadowing Juve trying to sell Ramsey and Rabiot in a few years. this year is going to be a car crash... you cant force square pegs into round holes, Blaise and Sami current form would only work in the MLS, they would do ok in the french league, would not play well in Germany, and could not even cut it in the EPL and La Liga. Rabiot plays well against weak teams, i didnt watch the game today, but heard he lost the ball 3 times today.
Yep, Matuidi looked completely lost out there. We should have encouraged him to leave like we did with Dybala because I just don't see him adding anything to this team going forward, he looks done at this level
Setting aside the doom and gloom for a second, one of the positives in this new system is that Pjanic can really excel in that role. If the understanding is that the attack starts from him and he is to help bring the ball out from defense, keep possession and play shorter passes as he sees fit to spur on the attack, I think he's perfect for that role as it highlights the things that he's good at. I think we have to hope that Rabiot and Ramsey play well enough to solidify their respective places in the starting XI so we have midfielders who are all good on the ball, such that the play remains quick and fluid. You have to imagine that the front three will get better as they get more time with one another...and that the defense improves when De Ligt takes over for Bonucci (who I have to concede played well yesterday).
There would have been no doom and gloom if Ronaldo took his chances instead of taking the collar going 0 for 6. His supporting cast is more than good enough. He needs to do his job.
True, but we need more people to actually score goals also. That is my concern. Our attackers can't hit the target and we keep leaving the one guy other than CR7 who consistently does hit the target on the bench. Or out the door! Higgy was good with his hold up play and distribution but he seems slower taking his chances than he did 2 years ago. Not sure how many actual goals he has left in his tank at this level. That leaves Mandzu who doesn't really fit the Sarri system IMHO.
Ronaldo is an incredible attacker given the volume of chances he can get to. Like other posts have said, this game in the first half should have seen Parma down by 2 or 3. Khedira set up Ronaldo for a point blank chance. Higuain's hold up play was excellent and he too set up Ronaldo at least twice. Costa served him one as well. In the end, the players around him are instructed to specifically create shots for him and they did that on Saturday. Higuain in past year would have been evaluated based on the number of goals. If he stays, his season will be a success if he can get Ronaldo to score 30+. The Argentine was one of Juve's best players. Also Sandro in his 1v1 defending high up the field was excellent. He wins those physical battles. In the past he has struggled when asked to sit deep and track the play. This manner of defending may bring out the best in him given his physical attributes.
People are way too critical after just the first match... Look all the goals Napoli and Roma conceded. We have a clean sheet. The team did fine under Sarris backup. I’m sure they will improve going forward, Ronaldo is gonna be better. Usually after such performance I expect him to score few the next match, which is also important. Khedira played well, Higuain played well linking up with Ronaldo few times. I agree we shouldn’t play Matuidi and Khedira together, they just can’t keep up with the pace. I’d like to see a similar lineup next week, but I hope we include Dybala in there. Rabiot should probably get the start, we can play big ball with him. I think: Scezny Demiral Chiellini Bonucci Sandro Can Pjanic Rabiot(Dybala) Costa Higuain Ronaldo This would be a good starting lineup. This team has a lot of weapons. I hope Ramsey is back soon. Eventually we will need to get De Ligt in there, he is young and has tons to learn from, Chiellini will be a huge mentor for him. My guess is within the next few weeks we will most likely try to offload the following: Matuidi Khedira Cuadrado Rugani
In terms of the 2nd, it was evident that the team ran out of steam. The substitutions did leave much to be desired. Juve played worse after each. With Cuadrado coming on for Costa, it would have been preferable for Mandzukic to play once Higuain was withdrawn. Ronaldo isn't effective alone centrally plus Cuadrado's crosses are the type that Mandzukic thrives on. If you are going to insert Cuadrado then put on Mandzukic to exploit that. Also it's clear that Rabiot is better as a left CM not a right CM. He didn't look comfortable on that side at all and was dispossessed or turned the ball over too often. Overall, it was a positive result with a strong first half and a second that is to be expected give how early we are in the season.
Matuidi if anything looked like a player that was still very good in terms of stamina and ground covered. He just doesn't offer any attacking threat whatsoever when driving from the left side. With Ronaldo playing basically as a 2nd CF, Juve needed Sandro or Matuidi to do what Costa was doing down the right. Funny enough that match should give various fans enough evidence to support their stance. The first half showed that the team are absolutely capable of playing a strong technical style with a short passing game in the final third. Again, it should easily have been 3-0. The 2nd proved that the team isn't yet in condition to play this way for 90 minutes.
OFFICIAL: No sanctions against Mertens for his blatant dive against Fiorentina. He'll be available for this weekend's game. (remember that time Krasic was suspended for a dive, one that didn't even result in a penalty since it wasn't even in the penalty box)
Who cares, let him play. Team better show up and play both halves, the way we played vs Parma won't be nearly enough to get past Napoli
I knew that Ramsey being out wasn't just because of his recovery, seems he's been having lower back pains as well. This guy is going to be a headache, continuing his record of never playing a complete season. Wish he could just stay healthy, he's a good player
We hopefully have enough depth that we can preserve Ramsey for the important league fixtures and Champions League. You have to hope that Sarri doesn't run him to the ground with his stubborn adherence to the same starting XI.
This is not the first year that has happened. But we did address our CB issues and should have our replacements for the future now.