Euro 2020: How the Juventus stars fared on Matchday 3

Just like that, huh. As quick as a flash, the Euro 2020 group stages are over! It’s time to get serious.

However, before we can enjoy a tantalising group round of 16 fixtures, let’s debrief everything Juventus-related on Matchday 3 of the group phase.

Ten of the 12 Bianconeri stars at the tournament were in action and here’s how they got on.

Italy – Federico Bernardeschi, Federico Chiesa, Leonardo Bonucci & Giorgio Chiellini

Roberto Mancini rang the changes for Italy’s final group clash with Wales, meaning the injured Giorgio Chiellini and skipper Leonardo Bonucci didn’t see the field.

There were starts, however, for Federico Bernardeschi and Federico Chiesa. I detail the latter’s performance here. 

Bernaderdeschi, meanwhile, was certainly more subdued compared to his electric teammate, but his performance was respectable. After starting on the right, he quickly moved over to the left where he operated from the left half-space as Emerson Palmieri persistently overlapped.

His 40 touches were the second-fewest among the Italian starters, but he did notch a pair of key passes and shot-creating actions. Overall, however, Bernardeschi certainly didn’t do enough to stake a claim for a potential start against Austria.

Turkey – Merih Demiral

Turkey’s dire tournament concluded with a 3-1 defeat to Switzerland as Merih Demiral regained his place in the starting XI.

The Juve defender put in a huge defensive shift, notching eight combined tackles and interceptions (second among the Turkish starters) and a team-high six clearances. His typical aggression was manifested by his team-high 16 pressures in the defensive third and a 100% aerial success rate (winning all three duels).

In possession, Demiral completed 50 of his 54 passes (a 92.6% completion rate) but offered little by way of progression. He registered just two progressive passes, three passes into the final third and no progressive carries.

Wales – Aaron Ramsey

Italy were dominant against Wales, meaning that Aaron Ramsey was subject to limited action in Rome.

The one chance he had in front of goal was squandered and he offered little by way of creative influence.

Nevertheless, he registered the joint-most touches among the Wales players (38) and offered dogged persistence out of possession amid a resilient Welsh defensive effort. Ramsey notched 23 pressures and three combined tackles and interceptions.

Netherlands – Matthijs de Ligt

The man who’s registered more shots on target at the tournament than Harry Kane thus far looked comfortable on Matchday 3 against North Macedonia.

Despite the presence of Serie A’s most consistent defender over the past two years, Stefan de Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt is the lynchpin the Frank De Boer’s back three. The Juve star had five progressive actions, a team-high five clearances and three combined tackles and interceptions as the Oranje finished the group with a 100% record.

Poland – Wojciech Szczesny

Poland’s 3-2 defeat to Sweden means that’s the last we’ll see of Wojciech Szczesny this summer. He endured a mixed tournament and struggled on Matchday 3.

Despite Szczesny’s Post-Shot Expected Goals totaling 1.9, Juve’s number one conceded three times. Thus, the stats suggest he underperformed.

Spain – Alvaro Morata

I feel for the bloke, I really do. Alvaro Morata looks like he really needs a big hug right now. The guy just can’t catch a break. However, the standing ovation he received from the Seville crowd following his second-half substitution will surely do him some good.

Nevertheless, in this episode of A Series of Unfortunate Events: Morata Edition, the Spaniard saw his spot-kick denied by Martin Dubravka as he racked up an xG of 1.0 but failed to hit the back of the net.

Despite his woes, expect Luis Enrique to stand by his man for the knockout phase. Hopefully, he builds some resemblance of this ‘confidence’ concept that frequently escapes him before Spain’s tournament draws to a close.

Sweden – Dejan Kulusevski

While Emil Forsberg and Alexander Isak stole the show for Sweden in the group stage, dynamic Dejan remains Janne Andersson’s x-factor.

After enduring a frustrating start to the tournament thanks to a positive COVID-19 test, Kulusevski earned his first minutes of the summer on Matchday 3. Introduced as a second-half substitute, the youngster instantly transformed a functional Sweden into an exciting one.

Within four minutes of his arrival, he had an assist. After carrying the ball 60 yards on the counter, Kuluseveski craftily cut in from the right before coolly setting up Forsberg for Sweden’s second. Then, with the contest locked at two apiece with the final whistle beckoning, he teed up Viktor Claesson for the game-winner.

Despite playing just 35 minutes, Kulusevski registered a team-high four shot-creating actions and joint-high four progressive ball carries (from just 17 touches!). Talk about efficiency.

Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo opened up a gap in the race for the Golden Boot on Matchday 3 as his clinical form from the penalty spot against France saw him bag a brace and take his tournament haul to five.

His overall influence against the French was minimal, but his production remains inevitable.

He’ll have the chance to shine against an aging Belgium back three in the round of 16.

France – Adrien Rabiot

Adrien Rabiot’s proving the ultimate utility man for Didier Deschamps. Despite losing his place in the starting XI for the clash against Portugal, the Juve midfielder was required to perform an unfamiliar function for the majority of the second half.

After Lucas Digne succumbed to a thigh injury just five minutes after replacing Lucas Hernandez, Rabiot was called upon to play at left-back. His performance was characteristically unspectacular but you have to respect the versatility he’s displayed for France this summer.

I expect him to return to the midfield three for the game against Switzerland.