Juventus: 3 takeaways from the 4-0 win at Parma
Juventus defeated Parma 4-0 this weekend in Serie A. Here are three takeaways from the victory.
After drawing with Atalanta at mid-week, Juventus got back in the win column on Saturday night against Parma. And they did so emphatically, putting four past Luigi Sepe for their biggest win of the Serie A season thus far. Both Dejan Kulusevski and Alvaro Morata scored, and then Cristiano Ronaldo added another brace to his 2020-2021 campaign.
Let’s take a look at three takeaways after the Bianconeri’s latest win.
You can always count on Cristiano Ronaldo to bounce back
In all honesty, Cristiano Ronaldo was dreadful against Atalanta, because if he were playing anywhere near his usual standard, Juventus absolutely would have won that match. Instead, he missed a penalty and a couple of easy chances.
But Ronaldo is one of those players who always bounces back from his rare poor performances, as a below-par outing seems to give the superstar extra motivation to stand out in the next match.
Ronaldo had two well-taken goals in the win at Parma. His first was a trademark, floating header, and his second was an even more difficult goal – but he makes it look all too easy. Ronaldo got around a Parma defender and smashed the ball into the far corner with his left foot, knowing exactly where the angle and the goal were.
Matthijs de Ligt is bossing games now
Leonardo Bonucci is known as one of the best ball-playing center backs in Europe, and Matthijs de Ligt may one day receive that kind of recognition. According to WhoScored.com, the Dutch star had a team-high 128 passes attempted, completing roughly 95 percent of them. De Ligt was a stabilizing presence for Juventus defensively, making key interventions. And he was an asset to the build-up play, showing calm and initiative on the ball.
De Ligt has been excellent since returning from a shoulder injury, and there isn’t a center back in Serie A that the Bianconeri would rather have. And de Ligt is starting to establish himself as the most valuable center back in world football alongside Real Madrid’s accomplished Raphale Varane.
Gianluigi Buffon still has it
Gianliugi Buffon deserved his clean sheet on Serie A’s Matchday 13. What helps Juve the most is Buffon’s leadership. You can always see him giving great instructions to his defenders, especially when there seems to be a dangerous ball in the air. It’s no surprise to see that one of the greatest goalkeepers and Italian legends of his generation has knowledge above the rest, but the way Buffon commands respect from his young peers is noteworthy nonetheless.
Next. Juventus Player Ratings from the win over Parma. dark
More than just a leader, Buffon is still an effective goalkeeper. Juventus have suffered no drop-off between him and Wojciech Szczesny, who is the best goalkeeper in Serie A without much doubt. So what does that say about Buffon? The man is still a quality keeper at the age of 42.