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Juventus player ratings vs Parma: Matuidi shines as Ronaldo remains scoreless

By John Vaccaro

Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic (17) celebrates after scoring his goal during the Serie A football match n.3 PARMA - JUVENTUS on 01/09/2018 at the Ennio Tardini in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Matteo Bottanelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic (17) celebrates after scoring his goal during the Serie A football match n.3 PARMA - JUVENTUS on 01/09/2018 at the Ennio Tardini in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Matteo Bottanelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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PARMA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: Juventus player Wojciech Szczesny during the serie A match between Parma Calcio and Juventus at Stadio Ennio Tardini on September 1, 2018 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
PARMA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 01: Juventus player Wojciech Szczesny during the serie A match between Parma Calcio and Juventus at Stadio Ennio Tardini on September 1, 2018 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /

Matchday 3 left a lot to be desired for Juventus fans.

Much like in the opener, fans were expecting a rout, but got a dogfight from start to finish. Also like the first match, Juve got out to a very quick start before facing some struggles.

Mario Mandzukic got Juve out in front early, scoring off of a defensive blunder from Parma. Juan Cuadrado sent in a cross from a long way out, it got over the head of Simone Iacoponi, Mandzukic headed it off of Iacoponi’s back and then slid the rebound past Luigi Sepe to give Juve the lead just 2 minutes in. Juventus tried to keep the pressure on from there, but failed to create more dangerous chances.

Parma started to find success on the counterattack, creating numerous dangerous chances, eventually leading to their equalizer. In the 33rd minute Roberto Inglese managed to get just enough of his head on a cross to lift it over Wojciech Szczesn’y outstretched arms right onto the foot of Gervinho, giving him his first Parma goal.

This trend continued for the rest of the half, Juve controlling possession and pressuring Parma until Parma could break out on a counterattack. However, this pattern didn’t lead to anything of note until Juve found the back of the net again in the second half. In the 58th minute Alex Sandro played a ball in to Mandzukic that Mario flicked perfectly to Blaise Matuidi which he buried in the top of the net. From there Juve was able to hold the lead until the final whistle sounded, securing their 3 win in 3 matches to start the season.

Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny 7/10

Szczesny was a bit busier than usual against Parma. He faced 4 shots on goal, saving 3 and was called into action a few more times to stop crosses and breakaways. He barely missed the cross that led to Gervinho’s goal and was solid the rest of the day outside of one harmless spill. Overall he was a positive for Juve and will continue to hold the starting spot heading into the international break.

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