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Juventus player ratings vs Empoli: Ronaldo saves Juve from embarrassment

By John Vaccaro

EMPOLI, ITALY - OCTOBER 27: Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates 1-1 goal during the Serie A match between Empoli and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 27, 2018 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
EMPOLI, ITALY - OCTOBER 27: Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates 1-1 goal during the Serie A match between Empoli and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 27, 2018 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /
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EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 28: Juventus player Miralem Pjanic and Empoli player Ismael Bennacer during the Serie A match between Empoli and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 28, 2018 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 28: Juventus player Miralem Pjanic and Empoli player Ismael Bennacer during the Serie A match between Empoli and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 28, 2018 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) /

CM: Miralem Pjanic 7/10

Miralem Pjanic had a great match statistically against Empoli, but he was once again unable to be a real difference maker for Juventus in the match. He was able to make 5 key passes and send in 4 accurate crosses, but none of those earned him an assist that would break his month long assist drought. His passing numbers looked great, including his 97.4% pass accuracy, but there has just seemed to be something missing lately.

He may be fatigued from a month without a match off, so hopefully, the 6 days between matches will help him get back to the form that kept him near the top of Serie A’s assist leaderboard over the last few years.

CM: Blaise Matuidi 7.5/10

This was an all-around solid day for Blaise Matuidi. He kept up with his regular defensive duties, making 2 tackles and 2 interceptions in the match. He also earned an assist on Ronaldo’s second goal. This was mostly the type of match we’ve come to expect from Matuidi. He helped keep Juventus in control of the midfield and in control of possession. He occasionally contributed to the attack, with that contribution really paying off on that assist. Overall, it was yet another in a long line of good performances from Matuidi.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur 8/10

I know that some fans were unhappy with Rodrigo Bentancur in this match because of his lack of attacking contribution, but in my opinion, his defensive performance made up for that. He was absolutely relentless for Juventus as a defender in this match. He made 4 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 5 clearances in the match, making it extremely difficult for Empoli to have any kind of sustained success. Yes, it would’ve been nice to see some more from him going forward, but this is really the role that Bentancur is suited to right now. We saw him play it very well at the World Cup and I’m absolutely fine with most of his contribution being defensive until his attacking abilities are more developed. It might not be a popular opinion, but I was pretty happy with Bentancur in this match.

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