Juventus player ratings vs Roma: Another Mandzukic header delivers win

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo 7/10

Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance against Roma was adequate, but he has to see it as a disappointment. Roma’s defense has been incredibly vulnerable this season and it wouldn’t have been shocking to see Ronaldo absolutely tear them apart. Instead he struggled to created really threatening chances and the 3 best chances he had were denied by Olsen. He probably should’ve had an assist in this match and that helps keep his grade in the C range, but against a team that had allowed 10 goals in their last 5 matches I would have expected more from the world’s second best player.

ST: Mario Mandzukic 8.5/10

There is just no stopping Mario Manduzkic in big matches this year. He has already scored match winning goals against Valencia, Milan, Inter, and Napoli and now added Roma to his list. He once again used his size to beat a defender to a cross and headed it past Olsen. The goal was his 8th Serie A goal of the season, surpassing either of his totals from the last two seasons and putting him within 2 goals of tying his most in a season with Juventus. Mandzukic has been one of Juve’s most important players this season and he looks determined to continue  coming up big in the most pivotal moments for Juve.

RW: Paulo Dybala 7/10

This match was better from Dybala. He sent in some crosses that made life difficult for Roma, including one that Ronaldo almost headed home. However Dybala still just looks out of place playing on the wing. He didn’t have any chances on goal, which is his real value to Juve, and doesn’t make much happen when he cuts inside from the wing. His substitute who only came on for 15 minutes looked more dangerous than Dybala did. I know none of this is Dybala’s fault, but something needs to change here. It worked against Roma, but Allegri insisting on Dybala starting on the right wing could cost Juve when they play Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.