Juventus vs. Lazio Takeaways: Paulo Dybala is necessary for success
Juventus made it another nervy finish, but they picked up a massive three points over a depleted Lazio on Monday.
After losing 4-2 to Milan and then drawing to both Atalanta and Sassuolo, Juventus finally got back in the win column on Monday night at the Allianz Stadium against Lazio, who have been among the other teams fighting for the Scudetto.
Lazio weren’t at full strength, so the Bianconeri took advantage, winning 2-1 after a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo. Here are three takeaways from the match.
Paulo Dybala has to start every game
For some reason, Paulo Dybala wasn’t supposed to start for Juventus against Lazio, because Maurizio Sarri wanted to go with Gonzalo Higuain again. Judging by how that went against Sassuolo, it would have been a big mistake. And judging by the role Dybala played in the win over Lazio, fans should be thankful he started. If it weren’t for Higuain tweaking an injury, he wouldn’t have.
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Dybala set up Cristiano Ronaldo’s second goal by making a great run and unselfishly squaring off for the superstar’s 30th goal of the 2019-2020 Serie A campaign. Throughout the afternoon, Dybala was unstoppable, creating chances and taking defenders on. Per WhoScored.com, the world-class forward had seven key passes and four dribbles completed.
This man needs to be starting every game for the Bianconeri. He is their biggest key to victory due to his goal-scoring ability and chance creation.
Adrien Rabiot impresses again
Adrien Rabiot is intent on showing the Juventini that he has a long-term place in Turin. For most of the 2019-2020 season, Rabiot was a part of Juve’s disappointing midfield, showing nothing since joining the team on a free transfer.
But in the last few weeks, Rabiot has shown his quality. The former PSG man scored a great goal against Milan to first show signs of stardom, and he put together a complete performance in the win over a Luis Alberto-less Lazio.
Rabiot had a great solo run that finished with a shot on target. He also completed over 85 percent of his passes with the third-most attempts on the team. Further, Rabiot defended well and was always willing to provide running on the ball to work chances.
Some defenders still aren’t stepping up
Lazio got a late lifeline in the form of a Ciro Immobile penalty, which was surrendered by Leonardo Bonucci after he made another embarrassing defensive error. Bonucci has been the weak link over the last few games during a rough patch for Juventus, and while he didn’t pay for it in terms of points in the table on Monday, Bonucci needs to be criticized.
He should be better than this, as one of Serie A’s best center backs. But Bonucci is showing that he himself needs to be replaced sooner than expect, perhaps by a returning Merih Demiral. Matthijs de Ligt has held up his end, but Bonucci has not.
Bonucci isn’t the only one struggling, though. Alex Sandro hit the post, but he’s really not helping the attack much. Cristiano Ronaldo is being forced to do more work because Sandro isn’t providing any sort of attacking threat down the left. Top backup Danilo is even worse when he’s in matches, because he gives up too many bad fouls and always looks nervy.
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It is Juve’s experienced defenders who are failing them the most in 2019-2020, and that’s a sign that changes need to come at the back.