Juventus secured their fourth consecutive Coppa Italia trophy and left little doubt in a 4-0 thrashing of Milan, but who stood out in our Football Italia Player Ratings?
Words: Ciro Di Brita – @Ciruzzo36
Gianluigi Buffon – 6
Had to beat away Patrick Cutrone’s strong shot that was aimed straight at him in the first half. Was alert when called upon with an excellent double save on Manuel Locatelli and the Fabio Borini follow-up. Comfortably won the duel with teenager Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Juventus secured their fourth consecutive Coppa Italia trophy and left little doubt in a 4-0 thrashing of Milan, but who stood out in our Football Italia Player Ratings?
Words: Ciro Di Brita – @Ciruzzo36
Gianluigi Buffon – 6
Had to beat away Patrick Cutrone’s strong shot that was aimed straight at him in the first half. Was alert when called upon with an excellent double save on Manuel Locatelli and the Fabio Borini follow-up. Comfortably won the duel with teenager Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Juan Cuadrado – 6
Continued at right-back in this game and provided plenty of attacking outlets for Max Allegri’s side.
Andrea Barzagli – 6
Marshalled his defence but had a rather quiet night, as neither Cutrone nor Nikola Kalinic really tested him or focused on his lack of pace.
Medhi Benatia – 8
Returned to the side at Daniele Rugani’s expense and was lucky to not get a yellow card for a tackle on Hakan Calhanoglu as the ref blew the whistle for half-time. Put his side ahead with a free header from a corner on the 56th minute and then scored the third when Donnarumma presented him with a gift.
Kwadwo Asamoah – 7
Allegri elected to keep Brazilian Alex Sandro on the bench and put his faith in Asamoah. Other than one big mistake that lead to Suso taking a snapshot, the Ghanaian put in a good shift.
Miralem Pjanic – 6
Kept things ticking over in the midfield, but wasn’t really given much of a battle to fight. Swung in the corner for Kalinic’s own goal.
Sami Khedira – 6
Couldn’t make the most of an opportunity to get in on goal when played in by Douglas Costa, but had a steady game in the middle of the park.
Douglas Costa – 7
Played Khedira in with a delightful through ball in the opening few minutes of the first half. Was fortunate that the shot for his goal was not dealt with. Made a couple of full paced dribbles with the ball in what was another good showing from the Brazilian.
Blaise Matuidi – 6
Quiet night for the Frenchman as he was another player to benefit from Milan’s meltdown and subsequent surrender.
Paulo Dybala – 6
With Gonzalo Higuain relegated to the bench the onus was on the little Argentinian to perform and he showed off a couple of neat tricks and flicks but never took the game by the scruff of the neck, not that he had to.
Mario Mandzukic – 6
Wasted a glorious chance with a header from a perfectly flighted Cuadrado cross and was probably glad that chance didn’t come in a tight and balanced game.
Substitutes:
Federico Bernardeschi – 6
Came on for Douglas Costa for the last 20 and didn’t have much to do in the game.
Gonzalo Higuain – 6
Replaced Paulo Dybala at the end so he could he could no doubt join in the celebrations.
Claudio Marchisio – N/A
Was given a couple of minutes at the end when he came on for Pjanic.