Player Ratings: Juventus 1-1 Fiorentina

After Juventus played out an entertaining draw with rivals Fiorentina, Goal.com's Anthony Wright was on hand to rate the players.
Oct 17, 2009 2:40:21 PM

JUVENTUS

Buffon: 6 – He was exposed by his defense for the first goal, but had little else to do.

Grygera: 5.5 – Caught out of position for the goal and was struggling to cope with Vargas and Jovetic in the first half.

Cannavaro: 7.5 – He kept Gilardino very quiet and dove-tailed very well at the back with Chiellini.

Chiellini: 7.5 - Made some crucial headed interceptions and used his strength to prevent Gilardino from being a threat.

Grosso: 6 – The left back tried to get forward but his delivery into the box was frequently poor.

Melo: 7 – The former Fiorentina man put himself about and bossed the midfield in the first half. Should have been punished when he tried to take the ball out of defense on a number of occasions by himself.

Sissoko: 7.5 – Early dive put him under pressure for the rest of the game but even though he was not 100 per cent fit, his physical presence played a major role in Juventus' dominance of the midfield.

Poulsen: 7 – Not as physical as his midfield partners but was more creative as he linked up with Diego and Grosso.

Diego: 7.5 – Showed his class with some clever touches, dictated the tempo in the midfield and was always looking to let the strikers in.

Iaquinta: 5.5 – He did well to get into the right positions but he was wasteful in his finishing, particularly when he volleyed at the 'keeper in the 15th minute. Unselfish to set up the crucial equalizer.

Amauri: 6 – Couldn't miss for his goal, but should have had more as he had several headers that were directed straight at Frey.

Substitutes

Camoranesi: 5.5 – Did very little in the time he was on.

De Ceglie: N/A – Given too little time to adjust to the game's tempo.

Trezeguet: N/A – He was brought on too late in the day to make an impact.


FIORENTINA

Frey: 6 – He made a good stop from Sissoko in the first half, but was otherwise rarely tested. Could do nothing for the goal.

Comotto: 6 – Got forward well and was putting himself about. However, he was poor in possession and his crossing was all over the place.

Gamberini: 7.5 – Heroic last-ditch tackle to deny Sissoko getting a free shot away in 14th minute, and made some crucial interceptions to keep the hosts at bay.

Dainelli: 8 – He was the rock on which numerous waves of Juventus attacks were broken up, and he put his body on the line for his team on a number of occasions.

Gobbi: 6 – Picked up an early knock and looked shaky at times, but tried to support the visitors' attack when possible.

Montolivo: 6 – Dominated by the hosts' midfield and had little influence on the game until late on when both sides were beginning to tire, but rarely gave the ball away.

Zanetti: 6.5 – Grew into the game in the second half and was doing his best to break up the unrelenting Juventus attacks.

Marchionni: N/A – He was replaced after 24 minutes due to injury.

Jovetic: 7 – Delivered a perfect pass for Vargas’ goal and was showing quality during the first half. His influence faded during the second period and was eventually replaced.

Vargas: 7 – Took his goal well and was causing problems with his set pieces. Should have crossed for Gilardino early in the second half but dallied on the ball and the chance to take the lead was gone.

Gilardino: 5 – While he had little service, he was virtually anonymous for most of the game and was disappointing when he had a couple of opportunities near the end.

Substitutes

Santanta: 6 – Not as active as Vargas on the opposite flank, but always looked to trouble Grosso and tested Buffon with a shot from range in the second half.

Mutu: 6 – Did his best in the short time he was given, getting involved in the play and managed to take more shots in 20 minutes than Gilardino did in 90.

Pasqual: N/A - Not enough time to make a real impact.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

Is the Old Lady back? Check out the October issue of Goal.com Magazine for an exclusive in-depth look at the new Juventus.