Adrien Rabiot and Dusan Vlahovic ensured that Juventus secured their first win in the UEFA Champions League this season, against Maccabi Haifa.
Juventus snapped their three-game losing streak in the UEFA Champions League and also secured their first win of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League campaign against Maccabi Haifa.
The Italian giants went into the game knowing full well what anything less than a win would not do. Maccabi Haifa, to their credit, showed little fear and were open to attacking Juventus at every given opportunity. In fact, they had 20 shots on the night, as many as they made in their last two games combined against Benfica and PSG.
The visitors also struck the post twice, and on another day, they might have had something to show for their efforts. What made the difference on the night was the Bianconeri’s ability to put away their opportunities. Adrien Rabiot scored twice, while Dusan Vlahovic also found the net to give the Italian giants a three-goal cushion.
However, the star of the show was Argentine ace Angel Di Maria. He earned himself a hat-trick of assists on the night and could have even had more if Vlahovic had been clinical. Dean David pulled one back for Maccabi Haifa in the 75th minute, but it was nothing more than a consolation.
50 – Adrien Rabiot has found the net after 50 appearances without scoring in all competitions; his last goal was back on 23 May 2021, against Bologna, in Serie A. Return.#JuventusMaccabiHaifa #UCL pic.twitter.com/NeglKpHVHc
— OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) October 5, 2022
The win takes Juventus to three points from three games. They trail Benfica and PSG by four points with three matches to go. While it will not be easy, the Bianconeri have given themselves a fighting chance of making the knockouts with the much-needed win last night. The Hard Tackle looks at how the Juventus players fared on the night.
Wojciech Szczesny: 7/10
The Polish ace was called into action several times on the night and did well to rise to the occasion. His two saves especially in the last ten minutes of the game saw Juventus keep their lead and not throw it away for a draw. There was little he could have done for Maccabi Haifa’s consolation.
Juan Cuadrado: 6/10
The Colombian was the skipper on the night and was a lively presence on the right flank. Cuadrado got forward whenever possible and also set up an opportunity for Vlahovic that he was unable to convert. It was an assured performance from a player, whose standards have suffered in the last few months.
Gleison Bremer: 5/10
The summer signing had a harder night than he envisaged and was horribly caught out for Maccabi Haifa’s goal. Mavis Tchibota got the better of him on a couple of occasions, but nothing came out of it. Bremer has been excellent for Juventus this season, but this was not one of his better nights.
Danilo: 7/10
The Brazilian got the nod over Leonardo Bonucci at the heart of the Juventus defence and justified his inclusion with an assured performance. Danilo was the standout player in the defence all game and largely stood up to whatever Maccabi Haifa threw at him.
Mattia De Sciglio: 5/10
It was a poor night out for the Italian who was completely unimpressive in the first half. It came as no surprise when he was pulled at half-time for Alex Sandro.
Weston McKennie: 6/10
The American was brimming with energy and had no lack of intent. However, he was outshone by his midfield partners on the night. McKennie’s lack of dynamism on the night saw him play a largely supporting role as those around him wreaked havoc.
Leandro Paredes: 7/10
The Argentine midfielder has been a sensational signing for the Bianconeri and is a rock in the middle of the park. Paredes anchored the line well and helped Juventus seize control of the midfield more often than not. His ability to win back possession and recycle it was a boon for his attack-minded teammates.
🎩 Leandro Paredes tonight:
85 minutes
54/57 accurate passes
100% accurate long balls
8 recoveries
5/5 duels won pic.twitter.com/SMl3hFyPWt— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) October 5, 2022
Adrien Rabiot: 9.5/10
It was a near-perfect display from Rabiot who has in the past been accused of being inconsistent. The Frenchman impressed at both ends of the pitch, scoring a brace and also winning the ball back smartly. Rabiot looked like a different player on the night and exemplified exactly why Juventus moved in to sign him from PSG.
Angel Di Maria: 9.5/10
The veteran exorcised his horrors from Monza with a performance that rolled back the years. Di Maria’s hat-trick of assists secured the game for Juventus and put them on course for a much-needed three points.
When on form, Di Maria is nigh on unstoppable, and he made full use of his experience and ability on the night. He could also have had a couple more assists to his name had Vlahovic put on his shooting boots for the game. The fact that only Lionel Messi has more assists than him in the competition since 2007/08 speaks volumes for itself.
3 – Ángel Di Maria is the first Juventus player able of delivering three assists in a #ChampionsLeague match since Opta started collecting this kind of data (since 2003/04 season). Fantasy.#JuveMaccabi #UCL pic.twitter.com/ijiEcPg7Mw
— OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) October 5, 2022
Filip Kostic: 6/10
The summer signing has been a lively presence on the field for Juventus but chose to take a back seat on the night. He never quite got going and was largely consigned to a secondary role down the left to Rabiot.
Dusan Vlahovic: 6/10
The Serb led the line well enough and also got himself on the scoresheet. It should, however, have been so much more as he spurned several gilt-edged opportunities to add to his tally. He also had a goal ruled out and will have every reason to be frustrated with his largely mediocre showing.
SUBSTITUTES
Alex Sandro: 6/10
The Brazilian replaced Di Sciglio at the break and was an improvement on the Italian international. He also earned himself a yellow card for his troubles.
Manuel Locatelli: 6/10
Locatelli replaced Kostic and gave Juventus solidity in the middle of the park. He also crafted an opportunity for Moise Kean that the striker failed to convert.
Leonardo Bonucci: 7/10
Bonucci replaced Cuadrado and was critical on the night. He used his vast experience to read the trouble and made a decisive block when the score was 2-1 to keep Maccabi Haifa at bay.
Moise Kean: 6/10
The youngster should have gotten himself on the scoresheet but could not find a way past the Maccabi Haifa goalkeeper. Kean did make some good runs and got in behind the visitors’ defence more than once.
Fabio Miretti: N/A
A late change for the excellent Paredes, Miretti had little to do as Maccabi Haifa refused to go down without a fight.
