Juventus: 3 players who must step up after 2-2 draw with Torino
Juventus dropped more points in Serie A this weekend, drawing 2-2 with crosstown rivals Torino. And to be quite frank, the Bianconeri can consider themselves fortunate to have left the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino with a point, because they looked embarrassingly flat for the derby.
There were a couple of solid performers, namely the usual suspects Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Chiesa, but the majority of Juve’s players struggled. So there are no shortage of candidates to pick when it comes to who must step up before Wednesday’s big match against Napoli.
GK Wojciech Szczesny
We begin with Juve’s most disappointing player on Matchday 29, star goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. He may be Serie A’s best, but he looked like a second-rate player in the draw with Torino.
Szczesny was culpable on both goals. He flailed wildly to enable Antonio Sanabria to hit home the first on a rebound. And the second goal he allowed was the worst of the two. I still have no idea how Szczesny was beaten so easily by Sanabria at his near post, but that’s an embarrassing moment for any goalkeeper, especially someone with Szczesny’s accolades and experience.
More from Old Juve
- Juventus beat Udinese 3-0 in first match of the season
- Team previews: Will Juventus’ attack fulfill its potential?
- Team Previews: Juventus midfielders need to show growth this year
- Team previews: Juventus defenders look ready to compete for Scudetto
- Leonardo Bonucci may be leaving Juventus soon
Usually, he is great for Juventus, including the Supercoppa Italiana against Wednesday’s opponents, Napoli. But he must bounce back from this, because he really let the team down in the Derby della Mole.
CM Rodrigo Bentancur
I’m not sure how long Weston McKennie, Arthur Melo, and Paulo Dybala will be suspended for breaking COVID-19 rules, but if the midfielders must miss another game, Rodrigo Bentancur will be under the microscope against Napoli.
He had a huge opportunity to lead by example in the derby, but he flopped. Again. It has been a difficult season for Bentancur, who has often been miscast under Andrea Pirlo into this regista role or a role that emphasizes his build-up and ball security.
That is not who Bentancur is. He was without meaningful influence on Saturday evening, aside from a couple of nice ball recoveries and one longshot that forced a save out of Salvatore Sirigu.
Each poor big-game performance from Bentancur brings Juventus closer to contemplating the 23-year-old’s sale.
RM Dejan Kulusevski
Where do I begin?
Dejan Kulusevski was Serie A’s best young player last season, but you wouldn’t think so based on what we have seen from him this season with Juventus. A couple of goals aside, Kulusevski has been one of Juve’s worst performers in 2020-2021, and he was quiet again on Saturday,
Kulusevski’s only bright moment was an accurate cross that led to a headed shot on target from Cristiano Ronaldo. And that bright moment was certainly overshadowed by another horrible backpass. It was the exact same mistake he made against Lazio, and it led to the same result. Expect this time, it cost Juventus points in the table.
I do not understand what is going through Kulusevski’s head when he makes plays like that. I can forgive Kulusevski for some of the issues with crossing and getting into the penalty area from his inverted wide midfield position, because the young man cannot answer for the role he is playing.
Next. 3 takeaways from Juventus vs. Torino. dark
He can, however, be criticized sharply for basic mental errors that cost the team dearly. Even a young attacking player should know better than to make that pass, especially when he had already been burned by the same mistake merely weeks ago.
We need to see more from Kulusevski in the attack. I know the right midfield spot in the 4-4-2 is not ideal for a winger who wants to attack on goal more, but he has to get more involved than this. Above all else, Juventini will lose their heads if Kulusevski makes that mistake for a third time.