Aaron Ramsey impressed heavily while Danilo and Cristiano Ronaldo also bagged goals as Juventus beat ten-man Sassuolo 3-1 on Sunday night in Serie A.
Juventus endured a rather disappointing first period as they saw star man Cristiano Ronaldo miss a couple of chances while they also had to deal with Weston McKennie and Paulo Dybala going off injured. However, things took a turn for the better when Sassuolo were reduced to ten men on the cusp of half-time as Pedro Obiang was shown a red card for a cynical foul on Federico Chiesa.
Post the half-time break, Juventus looked to drive home their numerical advantage and took the lead through a 25-yard scorcher from Danilo in the 51st minute. However, Sassuolo hit back through Gregoire Defrel just seven minutes later to reinstate parity.
Seemingly happy to get away with a point, the visitors sat back and invited pressure and Juventus finally managed to find a way through in the 82nd minute as Aaron Ramsey tapped home from close-range before Ronaldo added a third in stoppage time to seal an important victory even though the performance was far from convincing.
The result sees Juventus move into fourth place in the Serie A table, seven points off of leaders AC Milan. And here’s how we rated the performances of Andrea Pirlo’s men on the night at the Allianz Stadium.
Wojciech Szczesny: 6/10
Did not have a great deal to do between the sticks with Sassuolo not threatening the goal a great deal. Not a lot he could have done to keep out Defrel’s equaliser. Misplaced just two of his 37 passes on the night.
Danilo: 8/10
Did not have the most eventful of the first-half but burst into life after the break as he opened the scoring with a brilliant strike from distance, before setting up Ronaldo for the third goal. Reliable defensively as well, as he made six tackles – the highest by any player on the night and an interception.
Danilo has been involved in two goals in his last two home games.
?️ vs. Udinese
⚽️ vs. SassuoloWhat a strike. ? pic.twitter.com/WiYiS4FFWZ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 10, 2021
Leonardo Bonucci: 6/10
Had troubles dealing with Sassuolo’s counter-attacks in the first period, with one such moment just 12 minutes into the game seeing him impede Francesco Caputo who was through on goal. Got booked for that action, although it could have been a red card. Recovered with time though, with his distribution from the back impressing. Completed 94% of his passes and helped create a couple of chances as well.
Merih Demiral: 7/10
Stepping into the side in place of Matthijs de Ligt, the Turkish international fared better than his defensive partner. Stayed solid at the back, for the most part, completing two tackles, two interceptions and two clearances each, while he misplaced just one of his 76 attempted passes on the night. Almost set up Ronaldo for a goal late in the first half.
Gianluca Frabotta: 7/10
A willing runner, the youngster was always on the lookout for opportunities to push forward with both McKennie and Ramsey pushing infield from the left. Had a shot go over from a good position early in the game and got the assist for Ramsey’s goal in the second half. Fairly solid at the back, making the joint-highest three interceptions.
Federico Chiesa: 6.5/10
A quiet outing in comparison to some of his recent performances. Did well to carry on after picking up a knock from Obiang’s foul that led to the Sassuolo man’s sending off. Moved the ball forward well, making four dribbles and also completing a key pass. Did his bit defensively as well to support his teammates.
#JuveSassuolo, la moviola dei giornali: "Obiang-Chiesa rosso ok. Al 65’ Consigli manca la palla e finisce su CR7 rischiando grosso. Massa lo grazia"—> https://t.co/IIvxtvZdqj pic.twitter.com/vCVJE8DDUx
— VecchiaSignora.com (@forumJuventus) January 11, 2021
Arthur Melo: 6/10
Starting in place of Adrien Rabiot in the middle of the park, the Barcelona man endured a difficult start as he found it hard to find his range and rhythm. Slowed things down when on the ball, there were a few misplaced passes as well. But improved with time as he completed with 96% pass accuracy, with two key passes while also making three interceptions.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 5/10
Much like his midfield partner, the Uruguayan made a sloppy start to the game, finding it hard to deal with Sassuolo’s counters as he failed to impose himself on the game. Booked for a rash challenge on Filip Djuricic and was hooked at half-time. Looks like in need of a rest.
Weston McKennie: N/A
Having come into the side in place of Aaron Ramsey, the USMNT international lasted just a little over fifteen minutes before being withdrawn due to an injury. Looked bright before going off.
Paulo Dybala: 5/10
Another player who had to come off with an injury in the first half, Dybala lasted 42 minutes on the pitch and didn’t do much of note before making way for Dejan Kulusevski.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 6.5/10
Most official goals scored for club and country in football history:
◉ Josef Bican (759)
◉ Cristiano Ronaldo (759)
◎ Pelé (757)Cristiano Ronaldo is now level with Josef Bican. pic.twitter.com/LipSM82i4Y
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 10, 2021
A wasteful first-half display saw the Portuguese talisman squander a couple of decent opportunities. Came close to scoring in the second half before finally finding the back of the net in the stoppage time.
Substitutes
Aaron Ramsey: 8/10
Replaced the injured McKennie in the 19th minute. Looked lively, as he pushed forward with intent every time and looked to create chances for his teammates. Scored the all-important second goal, applying the finishing touches to Frabotta’s cross. Made a match-high four key passes, completed a dribble and a tackle as well. Growing in confidence.
Aaron Ramsey’s game by numbers vs. Sassuolo:
66 touches
8 touches in opp. box
6 final third entries
4 chances created (=most)
4 crosses
4 shots
3 duels won
2 ball recoveries
1 shot on target
1 goalHis first Serie A goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/LEfKwXCtfK
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 10, 2021
Dejan Kulusevski: 6.5/10
On for Dybala towards the end of the first half and squandered a great chance to break open the deadlock on the verge of half-time. Moved well in the final third, created a few chances for his teammates as well, making four key passes. Booked in the 79th minute.
Alvaro Morata: N/A
Came on for Ramsey with less than five minutes left on the clock.
Federico Bernardeschi: N/A
Late substitute for Chiesa.
