Cagliari 1-2 Juventus: Player ratings as Vlahovic nets winner for Bianconeri

Juventus returned to winning ways in vintage fashion as they came from behind to beat Cagliari 2-1 in Serie A on Saturday night.

The Bianconeri fell behind early on after Cagliari caught them on the counter with Joao Pedro finishing wonderfully. It took some time for the visitors to produce a response as Massimiliano Allegri’s side looked a far cry from the side that turned up, albeit in defeat, against Inter Milan last Sunday.

Nevertheless, Juve thought they’d drawn level but Luca Pellegrini’s effort was ruled out because of a harsh Adrien Rabiot handball. There was nothing VAR could do, however, to prevent Matthijs de Ligt’s controlled header from levelling things up before half-time.

Despite Juve’s equaliser, Cagliari remained content with ceding possession and frustrating the visitors in their low defensive block after the break. Walter Mazzarri’s ploy had stifled Allegri’s side for much of the contest before Paulo Dybala and Dusan Vlahovic combined to give Juventus the lead.

The hosts then huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser at the death, but the Bianconeri were able to hold on for a crucial three points in the race for the top-four with ease. With their win, Juventus are now eight points ahead of AS Roma, who play Salernitana at home on Sunday.

Here are the Juventus player ratings from their 2-1 victory over Cagliari.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – 6/10 – He had no hope of denying Pedro early on and was otherwise untested.

Danilo (RB) – 6/10 – The energetic Dalbert gave Danilo a few issues in possession, but the wily Brazilian mitigated the Cagliari man’s pressure by drifting wider in the build-up. It was a slight tweak that showed off Danilo’s intelligence, and he enjoyed a much more comfortable night in possession as a result.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – 6.5/10 – De Ligt smartly converted from Cuadrado’s cross on the stroke of half-time to restore parity for the away side. It was the undisputed highlight in an otherwise simple night’s work for the Dutchman.

Giorgio Chiellini (CB) – 6/10 – Chiellini overhit the odd pass as he ventured forward in the second period, but he was otherwise untested by a Cagliari side that were unwilling to attack after scoring the opener.

Luca Pellegrini (LB) – 6.5/10 – Pellegrini was cruelly denied a goal by VAR in this one, and the Italian deserved to get on the scoresheet. While he was rarely used by his teammates, the left-back nonetheless made some brilliant runs down his flank; occasionally penetrating in behind. He also dealt with the threat of Raoul Bellanova in the closing stages very well.