Yanks Abroad Champions League All PBP [R]

having trouble deciding between Wes and Juve or Malik and BL.

 

IMO, Juve is playing down to Pafos' level. They've still generated 2 dangerous chances through the first 15 minutes, but it still has "frustrating nail-biter 1-0" written on it

 

How I would describe Juventus for about 7 years now...

edit. Difference is, we were much more talented in late Allegri 1.0 and Sarri era.

 

absolutely embarrassing Juventus. Pafos have hit the post twice...

 

~31': Mckennie with a goal saving stop after a dreadful Juve defensive sequence. They're very lucky to still be level right now

 

Weston just about saved almost a certain goal for the opponent - got his leg in the way.

Still, a bit quiet so far. @zlatan_but_a_car is spot on, Juve playing down to their opponent, and at the moment, appear the lesser side.

 

There has to be some kids in the academy or u23 that will play harder than these people.

 

SOrry, but games like this, Wes needs to insert himself more. Too deferential with ball at feet, too quick to try his clever 1-2 wall passes. As the longest-serving Juve player, take a stand, Sir. Get angry or something, idk.

 

He's also been slow to close down the ball on defense, which has opened passing lanes for Pafos. He's far from the worst offender today, but these have been some of the worst minutes I've seen from Wes this season.

... and right as I say that, Wes gets on the ball in the box, takes a shot, and wins a corner.

 

Wes with a nice strike outisde the box, deflected by defender knee. More of that, please

 

I've noticed Wes dropping deeper during Juve's build-ups over the past 5+ minutes. I think he's been told to do this to bypass Miretti, who has been having a bit of a disasterclass out there today

 

a Juve corner bounces around the box a bit before falling to David, who manages to turn and get his shot off, but can't hit the target despite being only about 6 yards out

 

Oh David...I'm not sure he can handle this...

 

halftime in Turin is ushered in by an absolute cascade of boos from the Juve fans. A 0-0 at the final whistle will be treated like a loss.

 

booo!!!!

 

how is Tillman doing? Glad to see they are up.

 

Edit: Tillman. He’s been somewhat quiet and doesn’t seem like he is having a hustle day. Had a nice through ball which led to a dangerous chance play (free kick). The receiver got fouled just outside the box.

 

Shape may have changed to a 4-2-3-1 with Wes sliding to right back. Miretti seems much higher as does Koop.

Wes - Kalulu - Kelly - Cambiaso
- Loca - Koop
Concecaio - Miretti - Yildiz
- David

 

Conceição replaced Zhegrovia at halftime. I'm a little surprised Miretti wasn't also pulled. Juve have come out of halftime with a bit more bite than they had in the first.

 

very frantic stuff in Torino right now.

 

close up of Wes during a throw-in catches him wincing a bit while walking... don't love that!

 

Oh cool, David Luiz is still a diving little shit at age 38. Managed to earn Locatelli a YC by acting after a VERY cleanly won tackle from Locatelli.

 

If Juve can't capture 3 points from this tie at home, it really is a poor indictment on the squad. In the old format, that kind of result could be damning.

In the new format, there are plenty of chances to right the ship and advance.

 

Openda comes on for... Locatelli? Possibly because of his booking?

Huh.

 

Thought for sure David was getting the hook. Hopefully he can reward the confidence because I'm almost *at the point where he needs to be sold in January...I've tried, I really think he is a good player. He might not have the capacity to handle the pressure at Juve. Toto Di Natale's are still good players.