Malmo 0-3 Juventus: Player ratings as Bianconeri shine in Champions League opener

Juventus claimed their first victory of the season on Matchday 1 of the 2021/22 Champions League as they eased past Malmo 3-0 in Sweden.

Alex Sandro opened the scoring against the run of play following a bright Malmo start, which signalled the start of a significant momentum shift. Juventus then began to dominate the contest, and they’d find themselves 3-0 up before half-time thanks to a Paulo Dybala penalty and Alvaro Morata finish.

The hosts never looked like getting back into the contest as Juve waltzed through the second period. No goals ensued, with the Bianconeri settling for a 3-0 victory.

Here are our Juventus player ratings from their European triumph and first win of the season.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – 5/10 – Malmo will rue the fact that they didn’t test an out of sorts Szczesny until the 90th minute. Juve’s number one had little to do between the sticks on Tuesday night before he saved brilliantly from Martin Olsson’s fierce low drive. Some respite following a woeful start to the campaign.

Danilo (RB) – 6/10 – Shifting infield to create a back three when Juve had possession, Danilo had a quiet outing. Malmo rarely attacked down his flank, although he was cool, calm and collected with the ball – in the face of a high-engaging wing-back.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – 7/10 – The Dutchman had a couple of under the radar, but brilliant, defensive sequences in the opening period. The yellow card he picked up after the break took the shine off a controlled centre-back performance.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – 7/10 – Antonio Colak’s quiet outing was a testament to the Juventus stalwart, who marshalled him astutely. Bonucci was impressive in Sweden; emanating calm while showing off his incredible passing range.

Alex Sandro (LB) – 7/10 – Sandro’s early box entries were promising, and his aggressive positioning paid dividends as he opened the scoring with a stooping header. That goal ignited a spark in the Brazilian, who suddenly transformed into his 2017-self. A timely performance following Luca Pellegrini’s promising outing in Naples.

Midfielders

Juan Cuadrado (RM) – 8/10 – The underrated veteran was a menace down the right. Tasked with holding the width down his flank, Cuadrado set up Sandro’s opener with a fine cross. Soren Rieks simply couldn’t cope with his swiftness in one-v-one situations and willingness to penetrate in behind.

Manuel Locatelli (CM) – 7/10 – He’s just superb, isn’t he. After Malmo’s overload in midfield caused initial problems, Locatelli soon grabbed the contest by the scruff of the neck. He was the Bianconeri’s dictator; circulating the ball efficiently and delivering masterful switches of play with both feet.

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – 5/10 – The Uruguayan was a little careless in possession, but offered penetrative runs in the right half-space and combativeness out of possession. Not his finest performance, overall, though.

Adrien Rabiot (LM) – 6/10 – As expected, the Frenchman operated infield when Juve had the ball with Sandro functioning high and wide down the left. Rabiot was efficient and technically secure, offering a source of penetration on the odd occasion as well.

Forwards

Paulo Dybala (CF) – 7/10 – His unconvincing penalty encapsulated his first-half performance. On a slippery surface, Dybala struggled to settle. Errors were uncharacteristically frequent. However, after the break, he was much improved as moments of traditional La Joya silk became commonplace. The balance, poise and subtleness in possession all manifested wonderfully before his late withdrawal. Good signs.

Alvaro Morata (ST) – 8/10 – The Spaniard was rewarded for his persistent runs behind Malmo’s high line as he netted Juve’s third on the night with a rather fortunate dinked finish. Morata was once again relentless in his defensive work and was brought off with over 20 minutes to go with an eye for Sunday. Another fine showing.

Substitutes

Moise Kean – 6/10

Weston McKennie – 5/10

Dejan Kulusevski – 6/10

Aaron Ramsey – 5/10

Daniele Rugani – N/A