Le Pagelle: Juventus vs. Bologna

The weekend had set itself up perfectly for Juventus. Como had suffered a shock defeat at Sassuolo. Roma and Atalanta had drawn against each other. Napoli had lost. With a win over Bologna, Juve would take a five-point lead over their closest pursuers in the race for the Champions League.

Win they did, holding Bologna without a shot on target in a 2-0 victory that, with some better finishing and better luck, could’ve been 4-0 or even 5-0.

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Considering how many people were counting the Bianconeri out as little as a month ago, it’s an impressive thing to not just be in the top four, but to have a margin for error in the season’s final five games.

How did the men on the pitch fare? Let’s take a closer look.

MICHELE DI GREGORIO – 6.5. Directed the defense very well and was in complete control of his box. The only time he was really called into action was to punch a deflected cross away from the goal.

PIERRE KALULU – 7. Masterful as usual. Made two tackles and two interceptions on a defense that completely defanged Bologna’s front line, and the cross he sent in for Khéphren Thuram’s goal was inch-perfect, finding his compatriot between three defenders.

BREMER – 7. Neutralized Santiago Castro completely, making three tackles and three clearances and holding the Bologna striker without a shot.

LLOYD KELLY – 6.5. Added a key pass to a pair of tackles defensively and did a good job helping to keep Riccardo Orsolini in check on his flank.

EMIL HOLM – 6.5. Worked well with Francisco Conceição on the right side, and would’ve had an easy candidate for this year’s top 15 list if his shot had been a fraction lower. Hopefully the twinge he felt won’t keep him out long, because he brings something to the right side that feels like it hasn’t been there since Stephan Lichtsteiner was there.

MANUEL LOCATELLI – 7. Made three tackles defensively, but it was his offensive output that impressed today. He made three key passes, made some dangerous entry passes that his teammates used to make danger, and was even second on the team with two dribbles. Heck of a way to celebrate his new contract.

WESTON McKENNIE – 7. The number that stands out is the two key passes, including the assist on the opener. But the totality of McKennie’s performance was how he used his nominal midfield position to pop up absolutely everywhere, never giving Bologna ball carriers a moment’s peace. This would be even higher but for the one glaring deficiency that was a 50 percent pass completion.

ANDREA CAMBIASO – 6. For the second straight week, Cambiaso came up against a dangerous attacker on his flank and was…fine. Given the way his defense has been much of the season, I will absolutely take fine. Also had a key pass and helped work the spaces on the left with Jérémie Boga.

FRANCISCO CONCEIÇÃO – 6. This could’ve been so much higher, but he was a little unlucky today. He took off a split-second too soon when Jonathan David found him with a beautiful pass and was rightly called offside. He was onside in a similar situation a few minutes later but was denied by a good save from Federico Ravaglia. Had two key passes too but this just felt like an almost day for him.

JÉRÉMIE BOGA – 6.5. Made six dribbles and while he only had one key pass, the work he put in early made for a lot of chaos in the Bologna half.

JONATHAN DAVID – 7. Excellent header to open the scoring early and he very nearly had a second at the end of the first half, but his shot spun just wide. Played some nice passes around the Bologna box too.

SUBS

KHÉPHREN THURAM – 7. Thuram isn’t particularly well known for his aerial prowess, so seeing him head the ball in while surrounded by three defenders was a pleasant surprise. Played well in midfield defense as well.

KENAN YILDIZ – 5.5. Had one dribble but only touched the ball nine times in 19 minutes. If he’s fighting a knock, why was he even out there to begin with witha 2-0 lead.

EDON ZHEGROVA – 5.5. Didn’t get all that much more of the ball than Yildiz did, and was constantly trying to find space to shoot when he had teammates around him.

FEDERICO GATTI – NR. On to solidify the defense in the waning moments and keep Bologna from setting up a finish.

LOÏS OPENDA – NR. HE LIVES!!!! OK, it was five minutes and he only touched the ball once, but at least we have proof of life!

MANAGER ANALYSIS

This game could’ve been tricky. Bologna are a good team. Vincenzo Italiano hasn’t quite gotten them to the exact same highs as Thiago Motta did two seasons ago (God, it was that long ago?) but he’s still one of the league’s best coaches and he’s given Juve trouble since he arrived at the Dall’Ara.

With so many dominoes around them falling into place, it would’ve been easy for the team to take their eye off the ball and be punished for it by a team like Bologna. But Luciano Spalletti didn’t let it happen. The early goal almost certainly helped, but Spalletti’s ability to inspire this team remains one of the most important things that have changed since he arrived.

He was able to tactically match Italiano, using long outlets to his pacy and tricky wingers to counteract that famous press—which, crucially, Juve didn’t allow to hound themselves into mistakes.

It’s also very helpful that Jérémie Boga has provided something that this team has needed desperately for what seems like two years: a guy who can take over the attack when Yildiz isn’t on the field. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Juve look this dangerous when the young Turk wasn’t on the field. The Ivorian is turning into one of the best pieces of transfer business Juve have done in a long time.

LOOKING AHEAD

Juve finish this critical three-game stretch with a trip to the San Siro to face AC Milan, who are only three points ahead of the Bianconeri. The first meeting between these two was a draw, so if Juve win they would claim the tiebreaker and leapfrog their hosts into third. Milan have been in a bit of a freefall the last few weeks, but were able to arrest their slide with a 1-0 victory last time out—albeit one that saw them get outshot by a two to one margin by one of the worst teams in the league.

After that, the schedule eases up a bit—at least on paper. Verona area all but relegated but Lecce are still fighting tooth and nail for safety. Fiorentina have climbed six clear of the drop zone but always want to try to get one over on Juve, while a final-act Derby della Mole could go anywhere. But Juve’s fate is firmly in their own hands. Keep winning.

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