Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata were the stars of the show as Juventus beat Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 in their penultimate group game of the UEFA Champions League.
Juventus started the match strongly, dominating possession and creating early chances as Federico Chiesa saw an effort miss narrowly while Weston McKennie’s header was saved. Halfway through the first half, the deadlock was finally broken as Chiesa headed home from a pinpoint Alex Sandro cross from the left.
Cristiano Ronaldo came close to making it 2-0 at the half-hour mark, but his effort bounced off the bar, while at the other end, Wojciech Szczesny made a decent stop to deny Viktor Tsyhankov as half-time arrived. The Juventus goalkeeper was at hand to make another good save early in the second period, pushing out Tsyhankov’s goal-bound cross.
Minutes later, Juventus were 2-0 up as Ronaldo tapped a loose ball into the net after Alvaro Morata had forced an error from the Dynamo Kyiv custodian. The Spaniard then got his name on the scoresheet in the 66th minute, getting on the end of a pass from Chiesa to put the game to bed.
Mykola Shaparenko came close to pulling one back for the visitors late in the game, but Szczesny pulled off another important save to protect his clean sheet as Juventus held on for a comfortable win and keep their hopes of topping Group G alive. Here’s how we rated the performances of Andrea Pirlo’s men on the night at the Allianz Stadium.
Wojciech Szczesny: 7.5/10
Proved his standing as one of the top goalkeepers in the Champions League this season as he stayed alert to deny Tsyhankov on either side of half-time before pulling off a brilliant stop to deny Shaparenko late on. Completed each of his 20 attempted passes on the night while also completing one dribble, when he evaded a pressing opposition player.
Merih Demiral: 7/10
Back into the lineup having recovered from his injury, the Turkish international was a steady presence on the right side of the three-man defence. Strong in the air, Demiral won three aerial duels while also completing two tackles and two clearances. Tad wayward with his passing from the back, though.
Leonardo Bonucci: 7/10
Another player making his return from injury, Bonucci’s presence at the back brought an added element of composure to the Juventus defence. Misplaced just two of his 37 attempted passes while also effecting two key interceptions. Had one nervy moment when he could have gifted a penalty. Subbed off after the hour mark.
Matthijs de Ligt: 8/10
Matthijs de Ligt's game by numbers vs. Dynamo Kyiv:
100% duels won
100% aerial duels won
91 touches (most)
6 recoveries
5 total duels contested
4 tackles (most)
4 clearances (joint-most)
3 interceptions (most)Defensive masterclass. pic.twitter.com/kazBXXszsq
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 2, 2020
An imperious, all-round display at the back from the Dutchman. Solid at the back, dealing with whatever threat the visitors posed on his side. Ended the game with the joint-highest number of tackles (4), while also effecting the most number of interceptions (3) and clearances (4) by a Juventus player. Also completed the most number of passes by any Bianconeri player (75 completed of 80 attempted).
Federico Chiesa: 9/10
The star of the show for Juventus, Chiesa carried on from where he left off against Benevento this past weekend. Came close to opening the scoring early in the game before breaking the deadlock with a fine header in the 21st minute. Delivered some enticing crosses into the box that caused problems to the visitors’ defence – completing three key passes.
Played a role in the second goal before setting up the third for Morata. At the same time, Chiesa was no slouch defensively as he tracked back diligently throughout and won the joint-highest number of tackles on the night (4). Terrific display from the Italian international.
Federico Chiesa stats v Dynamo Kyiv:
▪54 Touches
▪2/4 Tackles won
▪2/6 Accurate crosses
▪4 Chances create
▪3 Key passes
▪1 Assist
▪1 GoalWhat a performance. ? ? pic.twitter.com/qxilWnpjJl
— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuveEN) December 2, 2020
Weston McKennie: 7.5/10
The USMNT international was a strong presence in the middle of the park as he worked hard off the ball and kept pressing the opposition incessantly, finishing with three tackles and two interceptions to show for his efforts. Was smart in his use of possession as well, playing in three key passes, while he also had an effort saved early in the game.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 7/10
Booked just ten minutes into the game for a foul on Shaparenko. but managed to keep his discipline for the rest of the night. Kept things ticking for Juventus in the middle, misplacing just four of his 74 attempted passes, that included three key passes. Showed good industry when not in possession as well. A step in the right direction for the Uruguayan international.
Alex Sandro: 7.5/10
A constant and dangerous outlet on the left flank as Sandro kept pushing forward and delivering threatening crosses. Got the assist for Chiesa’s goal and could have had another assist if Ronaldo’s effort had not hit the woodwork. Reliable in the defensive phases of the game as well making two tackles, clearances and interceptions each.
Aaron Ramsey: 6/10
A rather quiet outing from the Welsh international, who was not always involved in the thick of the things for Juventus. Showed fluid movement after slotting in as the sole attacking midfielder, but was not able to link up as effectively with his teammates. Took one shot which was well off target, but was fairly accurate with his distribution.
Alvaro Morata: 9/10
No player has scored more goals than Morata (6) in the Champions League this season. Haaland and Rashford also have 6 goals to their names. ? pic.twitter.com/Tqd0c3Rk7S
— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuveEN) December 2, 2020
The former Real Madrid striker has been very impressive for Juventus, especially in the Champions League, and it was no different on Wednesday. His run off the ball created space for his teammates leading to the opening goal, while he got the assist for the second, as he put pressure on the Kyiv goalkeeper and forced an error from him.
Showed good composure to slot in the third goal of the night to cap off a fine performance. Completed two dribbles and three key passes, while the three tackles he completed gives an indication of the work he put in off the ball.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 7.5/10
Back into the lineup after being rested at the weekend, Ronaldo got his name on the scoresheet in the second half with the simplest of tap-ins after having struck the woodwork in the first period. It was his 750th strike for club and country combined.
Moved well in the final third and caused problems with his dribbling when on the ball, completing the most number of take-ons (4) in the game. However, Ronaldo was a tad wasteful with his passing and seemed to be lacking the usual accuracy while shooting as well.
Only three players in football history have scored 750 goals for club & country:
???? Josef Bican (759)
?? Pelé (757)
?? Cristiano Ronaldo (750)On the verge. pic.twitter.com/2ze5UD1sLj
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 2, 2020
SUBSTITUTES
Danilo: 6/10
Replaced Bonucci in the 62nd minute. Slotted in at the back comfortably and made no mistakes while distributing well from the back.
Federico Bernardeschi: 7/10
Came on for Ramsey for the final thirty minutes or so. Livened things up with his direct running, as Bernardeschi completed three dribbles and managed one key pass as well while having a shot blocked.
Radu Dragusin: 6/10
Replaced Demiral in the 69th minute to make his first-team debut for Juventus and the 18-year-old looked unfazed by the occasion. Completed 25 of his 26 attempted passes and made one vital clearance as well.
Dejan Kulusevski: N/A
Came on for Chiesa with less than fifteen minutes left. Lost the ball in a dangerous position leading to a chance for the visitors.
Arthur: N/A
Thrown on in place of Bentancur. Was his usual composed self when in possession.
