Juventus dropped their first two points of the season at Atalanta, allowing Napoli to go clear at the top of Serie A.
Both teams came into this game on the back of positive results from their midweek European fixtures, as always at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia there was a intense home support and this was certainly reflected on the pitch by both teams.
Here, Football Italia rates the efforts of the champions.
Words: Elio Salerno
Gianluigi Buffon — 5.5
Juventus dropped their first two points of the season at Atalanta, allowing Napoli to go clear at the top of Serie A.
Both teams came into this game on the back of positive results from their midweek European fixtures, as always at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia there was a intense home support and this was certainly reflected on the pitch by both teams.
Here, Football Italia rates the efforts of the champions.
Words: Elio Salerno
Gianluigi Buffon — 5.5
By Buffon’s super high standards this was a sloppy display. Failed to deal with Papu Gomez’s fiercely hit shot and Atalanta took full advantage as Caldara tapped home to pull his team back into the game.
Stephan Lichtsteiner — 5
Biggest impression on the game was the incident leading up to Mandzukic’s disallowed goal, the Swiss international caught Papu Gomez with a forearm and was lucky to remain on the pitch, withdrawn shortly after for his own good as he lost all composure.
Medhi Benatia — 5.5
Started the game positively and anticipated danger well but did look vulnerable as Juventus came under pressure. The problem for Benatia is the Bianconeri fans favour Daniele Rugani, and if the Moroccan international is not putting in commanding displays his performances will always come under extra scrutiny.
Giorgio Chiellini — 5.5
The constant changing of defensive partnership is not bringing any continuity to the Juventus backline and Chiellini suffered a little here as a result. Atalanta pressure forced a number of turnovers in the Juventus half putting Chiellini and co under pressure as they struggled to play out from the back.
Kwadwo Asamoah – 5.5
Did well for the first Juventus goal when finding Matuidi in the build up but in general got caught in possession on a few occasions and put his team under pressure.
Blaise Matuidi — 6
As always a willing runner and energised Juventus in midfield, he pressed and recovered the ball well centrally. Joined in well and broke forward when Juventus had the ball, his shot from the edge of the box led to the first Juventus goal
Rodrigo Bentancur — 7
A player that is increasing in confidence with each game and already looks like he has an important role to play in the coming season. Comfortable in possession, he’s calm under pressure, uses the ball positively and has complete awareness of the game around him.
Federico Bernardeschi — 6
Positive impact on his first start but quickly faded as the game wore on, his eagerness to show his worth paid off as he followed up Matuidi’s shot to tap home. Showed his quality as he come infield and guided a cleverly disguised pass into Higuain for Juve’s second goal of the first half.
Paulo Dybala — 5
A night to forget for the Juventus number 10, provided a super cross for Mandzukic to score before it was ruled out by VAR and Dybala then missed the chance to win the game for his team. Juventus were controversially awarded a late spot kick but Atalanta goalkeeper Etrit Berisha comfortably saved a poorly executed penalty.
Mario Mandzukic — 6
Offered Juventus a way out escaping the Atalanta press, Juventus were forced to look for this safer option to relive pressure at times. Thought he had won the game with a trademark header before the use of VAR ruled the goal out.
Gonzalo Higuain — 6.5
The Argentinian striker looked fresh and bright in comparison to recent weeks. Higuain’s all round game was much improved, looking after possession and linking well with those around him. The Juventus striker showed great strength in the Atalanta penalty area he held off an opposition defender before powering a left foot shot high into the net.
Substitutes:
Andrea Barzagli — 5.5
Replaced Lichtsteiner but the veteran Italian did not have his most assured display here, cross from his side of the pitch as Atalanta found an equaliser.
Juan Cuadrado — 6
Replaced Bernardeschi for the final part of the game but failed to have the impact his manager would have wanted, popped up in a variety or areas but was unable to offer anything to the Juventus attack.
Douglas Costa — 6
Replaced Mandzukic as Juventus searched for the winner, tried to get into areas to cause the opposition problems with little impact. Difficult with minimal time remaining.