Re: Juventus 2017/2018 Serie A and Coppa Italia thread

[Luca]

We haven't had a keeper with such reflexes in 10 years, when Buffon had those reflexes

[rincon]

They are playing very well. We still got this though. They'll make a mistake soon enough if we continue like this. That or more long shots and free kicks till one goes in if they close up more.

[rincon]

*bleep* Dybala pulled something.

[Luca]

Khedira with an ugly looking colission with Szczesny

Chiellini with his first head injury of 2018

Going to be 10 minutes of added time today

[Warrior]

Lol the blue helmet is like a second uniform for Chiello

[Warrior]

Funny how Cigarini gets no yellow for this

But we all saw Matuidi's bs card earlier

[Warrior]

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[Warrior]

Here comes the ultra-pussy 80th minute defensive formation

Licht IN for Bernardeschi

[Luca]

About as bad as we'll play and about as good as another team will play us, I saw a lot of shades from the Sampdoria match

Our passing especially was horrible, can we just write a blank cheque for Verratti or Jorginho? Just disgusting how many bad passes we made- even Pjanic of all players

Tough injuries to Dybala and Khedira

I have to say, one of the worst matches from Dybala I've ever seen, he just did not get onto the ball at all. Higuain was also poor, looks tired. Mandzukic didn't even seem to be on the field, surprisingly lazy performance.

Thankful for Douglas and Bernardeschi- great goal made from both of them

I'm also thankful for Chiellini's heart, without him this is a team of pussies

[rincon]

I thought Dybala was very good in the first half, most of the team was. The second half was when shit happened.

Pjanic might have been the worst. Khedira for sure our best mid today, when he went out injured we lost too much.

Chiellini motm. The defense in general was good. Szczesny was great.

Matuidi wasn't particularly good either.

Cagliari really did everything right.

Douglas and Bernardeschi were the only mid/forward players that got us this win in the end.

[rincon]

If everyone hadn't gotten injuried and forced subs, Bentancur would have been a shoe in for this game.

[Luca]

I find I'm overly critical of Dybala, I think I expect more of him and he fades quite terribly through periods of matches. I thought this game was similar to the Sporting game in that sense, they gave him no space and were very physical.

We also lost our head too much during this match, lot of dumb fouls and afters. The ref was horrible at keeping things together

[Luca]

Matuidi made an Instagram post saying the following:
"Today I experienced racism during the match. Weak people try to intimidate with hate. I am not a hater and can only be sorry for those who set bad examples. Football is a way to spread equality, passion and inspiration and this is what I am here for. Peace. "

Sad [incident was during the first half when he won a corner if I recall correctly]

[Luca]

Sky Sport saying Dybala is out 30-40 days

[rincon]

Had a look at the fixture list. The first game after the break would be ideal to surpass Napoli as we play Genoa at home and Napoli go to Atalanta so its likely they'll drop points. If they don't drop points there we might have to wait a while for another chance, the easier part of the schedule:

Genoa
@Chievo
@Atalanta (CI)
Sassuolo

Then after that, I can't see us getting full points in mid february to mid march, the schedule looks horrible.

@Fiore
Tottenham
@Torino
Atalanta
Atalanta (CI)
@Lazio
Tottenham
Udinese

Without Dybala for the first part too.

[Luca]

https://www.tuttojuve.com/altre-notizie/gazzetta-marchisio-out-un-mese-403749

Marchisio out one month



Honestly, I'm heartbroken every time I see Marchisio's name on an injury report. His pre-ACL injury form in 2015-16 was absolutely immaculate. Seems like time is against him and he can't stay fit for 2 months straight anymore.

I know we all want him to have a bigger role in the team than he has lately, but it's quite clear why it is how it is.

[juvealbanian]

Sad to see him get injury after injury.He is still class but we might need a top midfielder this January for Champions.
What if Pjanic gets injured too in mid season? Our midfield will be surely the weakest out of other teams in CL.

[Warrior]

Since this season i don't think Higuain is world class, his few good games are only the expected level. 1-2 years of fuel left in the tank MAX, by 2019 we shall buy a new striker.

I haven't given up on him as a Juve starter for 2017-2018, but he seems to not care anymore... fast like that:
- Doesn't run most of the time
- Lose a lot of 1v1 against defenders
- Always long shots that every gk save easily
- Mandzukic is better in the air
- Poor defensive contribution

In other words, he needs to wake up. We score more goals than before as a team but i wonder if Higuain can still provide some A+ games in Champions League, or carry us when we'll need him the most...

[Luca]

I wish I could find the stats to support my claims but Higuain's work rate is as good as anyone's on the team. In our attack, it's better than anyone not named Mandzukic/Cuadrado.

The long shots, I don't have an issue with. Shooters, shoot

His aerial presence has always been relatively non-existent

Basically, the main thing I would argue with is his defensive contribution. He's a player throughout the entirety of his career known for his work rate. Its a trait that is instantly recognizable and the reason why he's almost never subbed off, even with Mandzukic on the bench.

Also, he was our MVP last season. He was our most decisive player.

This season, his productivity has definitely fallen off, and by that I mean he should have 3+ goals by this stage but that's been far from detrimental to our season. Apart from Roma, he's been great in our big matches

[S]

Higuain seems to have lost a step. His first touch is awful and he is f*cking up some really easy chances. Also loses the ball way too easily. I thought it's just a form thing but game after game he's making those same errors. If this inconsistent form continues to persist in March/April, then you can't help but feel he's declining.

[Luca]

Szczesny's passes against Roma [97% successful]

Mandzukic's importance

[juvealbanian]

Higuain IS declining. Last season he was good but when you compare him to his last season with Napoli (his peak) you can see that he's not the same player anymore.
Yeah Napoli system helped him a lot but this season he has only made a few appareances worthy for a top 5 striker.

[Warrior]

Agreed in all bro

If i can add, last season he was still a world-classish level CF. Higuain has a superior talent and that's why i expect him to keep scoring a brace once in a while, i even bet that he'll reach the 20 goals mark. But beyond that, his overall play ? Disappointing and i don't think it's only misform in this case.

[rincon]

The break sucks, so I had a look at how this season's stats compare to last season's. All of this is league only.

Last season - This season

Points
48 - 50

Goals scored
42 - 49

Goals conceded
16 - 15

Higuain G/A
13/0 - 9/3

Dybala G/A
4/3 - 14/3

Mandzukic G/A
4/2 - 4/2

Cuadrado G/A
0/3 - 3/4

[rincon]

So we improved on all the numbers so far as a team. Dybala with a huge jump in goals scored. Mandzukic with exactly the same output. Cuadrado improved as well. Higuain with 3 goals less but 3 assists more.

Also this is the first time since Conte's second season iirc that we are the league's top scorers.

[Warrior]

Buffon apparently asked for a 1 year renewal !!

Reading between the lines he seems willing to act as Szczesny back up.

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