Juventus: Grading each of the defenders in the 2019-2020 season

LB Alex Sandro

A sure-fire starter at left back, Alex Sandro was one of the best players in the team in 2019-2020. Only Gonzalo Higuain, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Paulo Dybala had more assists than Sandro, who was also tied for fourth on the team with fellow attacking fullback Cuadrado in key passes.

Defensively, Sandro offered plenty. According to FBRef.com, he tied Bentancur for the team lead with 1.57 interceptions per 90 minutes. Sandro, like Cuadrado, starts because of how he can support the attack, but the aggressive interceptions can definitely pay off to aid the attack. The 29-year-old also finished fourth on the team in dribbles completed per game and third in fouls drawn per game, which are great places for a left back.

Grade: B+

CB Giorgio Chiellini

The 35-year-old played sparingly last season, logging only 157 minutes for the Bianconeri. Chiellini is a Juventus legend and one of the absolute greatest center backs of his generation, but the captain can no longer start and is now making way for the next generation of stars in de Ligt and Demiral.

However, Chiellini wasn’t bad when he played. He put his body on the line when on the pitch, recording more total blocks and blocked shots per 90 minutes than any other player on the team. Chiellini didn’t make any mistakes, and his intelligence on the field stands out. He knows exactly how to force attackers into errors of their own.

Grade: B-