Euro 2020: How the Juventus stars fared in the quarter-finals

Errrr… where did all the Juventus players go?

Five Juve stars succumbed to elimination in the round of 16 meaning that in the quarter-finals, only Italy and Spain boasted Bianconeri representatives. And with Roberto Mancini finally acknowledging the full extent of Federico Bernardeschi’s incompetence, only four Juve players took to the field in the second knockout round.

Here’s how they got on.

Italy – Federico Chiesa, Leonardo Bonucci & Giorgio Chiellini

I doubted them. I really did. I thought Romelu Lukaku would have a field day, just like he did in January’s Derby d’Italia.

While Lukaku won the battle with Gianluigi Donnarumma from the penalty spot to halve Begliumg’s 2-0 deficit to a purring Italy, it was the savvy old-timers, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, who won the war in Munich.

It was an imperious display by one of the all-time great centre-back partnerships. Chiellini, on his return from a thigh injury, was at his psychopathic best – smiling after attacking a Kevin De Bruyne effort with his skull, and all that – while Bonucci’s quietly excellent tournament continued. His playmaking capacities haven’t gone unnoticed.

Chiellini led the way with a team-high ten clearances. 

In the aftermath of Italy’s victory, former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger labelled the pair the “best centre-backs in the world”. 

Chiesa, meanwhile, endured a quieter night, although his more subdued display might have something to do with Roberto Mancini’s tactical instructions. The 23-year-old was tasked with staying high and wide on the right flank to pin Belgian left wing-back, Thorgan Hazard.

Chiesa notched the lowest number of touches out of all the outfield starters (37), although his electricity was emanated when he did receive possession. The Juve starlet had five shots totalling 0.3 xG, while he registered two shot-creating actions and four progressive carries.

Spain – Alvaro Morata

Spain edged past Switzerland on penalties to set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash with their stylistic doppelgangers, Italy.

However, if Villarreal forward Gerard Moreno had his shooting boots on, the Spaniards would’ve been well out of sight before we were forced to watch a woeful collection of penalty kicks.

Moreno had replaced Morata ten minutes into the second half after the Juve man had failed to build on the momentum gained from his stellar performance in the round of 16. The impressive Manuel Akanji marshalled Morata astutely, although the Spanish wide players and midfielders often failed to exploit spaces in behind created by the striker’s selfless movement.

In a quiet 55 minutes, Morata failed to register a single shot, but there were a pair of shot-creating actions.

Nevertheless, Moreno’s inefficient showing off the bench should see the Juve forward retain his place in Luis Enrique’s XI for the semi-final.