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Juventus player ratings vs Torino: Simone Zaza gives Juve an early Christmas gift

By John Vaccaro

TURIN, ITALY - 2018/12/06: Simone Zaza of Torino FC reacts during the Coppa Italia football match between Torino FC and FC Sudtirol. Torino FC won 2-0 over FC Sudtirol. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - 2018/12/06: Simone Zaza of Torino FC reacts during the Coppa Italia football match between Torino FC and FC Sudtirol. Torino FC won 2-0 over FC Sudtirol. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic (5) in action during the Serie A football match n.16 TORINO – JUVENTUS on 15/12/2018 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Turin, Italy.(Photo by Matteo Bottanelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic (5) in action during the Serie A football match n.16 TORINO – JUVENTUS on 15/12/2018 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino in Turin, Italy.(Photo by Matteo Bottanelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

CM: Miralem Pjanic 7.5/10

Miralem Pjanic likely left this match feeling a bit cheated. He has struggled to create dangerous chances like he has in the past and hasn’t been quite as sharp with his set piece deliveries either. He shook those issues off in the second half of this match, sending in a beautiful ball from a free kick that found the foot of Mario Mandzukic. Mandzukic put it past Torino’s keeper and seemingly ended Pjanic’s slump, but unfortunately Cristiano Ronaldo was offside and took a touch on the ball that may very well have been unnecessary. It doesn’t change the quality of the delivery from Pjanic, but it did cost him his 3rd assist of the season. Outside of that moment it was a pretty pedestrian outing from Pjanic, but that delivery should give fans hope that he’s starting to turn things around.

CM: Emre Can 6.5/10

This wasn’t a good day for Emre Can. He got the start in place of Rodrigo Bentancur, who was serving a suspension for getting his 5th yellow card against Inter last week. He didn’t quite fill the shoes of his midfield counterpart. He had very little to offer the attack outside of two shots that weren’t close to the target and the one was completely unnecessary. He made a small defensive contribution in the match, but it wasn’t enough to salvage this performance. It was his first start since his thyroid surgery so his lack of form can be excused for this match, but it will now likely be a little while before we see him get another start.

CM: Blaise Matuidi 7/10

I’m sure you’re already well aware of how Matuidi’s day went based on what he has done in every other match he has played in Juventus. He played well defensively, especially in the second half when Juve began to put the pressure on their crosstown rival. The only difference between this match and his previous few is that he did nearly snag a goal for himself, but Torino’s keeper reacted well and kept Matuidi from getting the space he needed to put the ball in the back of the net. Matuidi continues to be a steady and predictable presence in the Juve midfield.

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