A 7-0 drubbing of Sassuolo tells you all you need to know about Juventus' best performance of the season.
In a match where Sami Khedira grabbed a brace and Gonzalo Higuain scored a second-half hat trick, Juventus were thoroughly enjoying a match which they controlled and won with ease. Their opponent simply failed to provide a challenge, defending poorly while their goalkeeper almost aided Juve's attack by standing out of the way to make way for the numerous goals.
Juventus looked both confident and ambitious, which should hold them in good stead over these next few weeks when they will need to be at their best against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League.
Positives
Everything. The Bianconeri kept another clean sheet while registering seven goals, the ninth time Juventus have ever managed such a score line in their history.
Negatives
Nothing negative can be said about a team that won 7-0.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- It's the second time Juventus have won 7-0 under the tutelage of Massimiliano Allegri. His Juve side defeated Parma by the same scoreline in 2014. Despite the injuries -- Blaise Matuidi needed to be substituted -- his players showed ambition and played with intensity to impress yet again.
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):
GK, Gianluigi Buffon, 6 -- Halted Pol Lirola but was otherwise allowed to simply watch the match from between the posts.
DF Mattia De Sciglio, 7 -- Pulled off a marvellous clearance and was excellent at the back, coming to Juve's rescue when called upon and closing down Khouma Babacar.
DF Daniele Rugani, 6 -- A good performance from the player who was offered a rare start. Conceded a cheap foul when it was so unnecessary but barring that, he was alert and attentive.
DF Giorgio Chiellini, 7 -- Authoritative, won his duels and kept Babacar at bay. The usual reliable warrior at the back.
DF Alex Sandro, 7 -- By the first quarter of the game he'd already opened the scoring and registered an assist for Juve's second goal. Combined well with his teammates going forward but still a little inattentive at the back.
MF Sami Khedira, 9 -- One of his best-ever performances in a Bianconeri shirt albeit against a poor opponent. Made the most of his opportunities but impressed with his tactical reading of the game, making timely runs forward and exploiting the gaps.
MF Miralem Pjanic, 8 -- Excellent. His decision-making on point, his execution perfect, Pjanic ran the midfield and the game, delivering everything his teammates needed to punish the opponent. A game that truly demonstrated his wide range of abilities. He even managed to register a goal of his own and an assist.
MF Blaise Matuidi, 6 -- Barely played as he suffered an injury that will keep him out for a few weeks. Supportive and dynamic until then.
FW Federico Bernardeschi, 7 -- Asked to play through pain, Bernardeschi came through with a decisive display, delivering two assists. He couldn't score himself and looked to be struggling physically at times, but his passing was excellent and his performance elevated the level of play in the final third.
FW Gonzalo Higuain, 9 -- Nothing but praise for the striker who scored a hat trick and never looked to give up on scoring more. Good finishes, excellent runs forward and good movement, opening up spaces for his teammates as well as linking play.
FW Mario Mandzukic, 6 -- One of the few who never relents, always looking to stubbornly win the ball and keep it. Wasn't his best performance but always looked to play for the team.
Substitutes
MF Claudio Marchisio, 6 -- Came on and delivered the assist for Higuain's second. One of Juve's better players off the ball, running into the right spaces and delivering important passes.
DF Mehdi Benatia, 6 -- Came on to provide the tackles and the security at the back.
MF Stefano Sturaro, 5 -- Good ideas but poor execution as he proved by his attempted first pass forward for Higuain. Good energy as always, but also many mistakes as always.
