Juve de Pirlo is better than expected: McKennie surprises, but only with Suárez or Dzeko will he be at the level of Inter | First page

Juve starts as it should. Five goals against Novara of Mr. Banchieri who had suffered four from Turin and as many from Milan, but scoring one against the grenade and two against the Rossoneri, with whom he even went ahead 2-0 (2-2 at halftime). A Serie C team full of young people with excellent prospects, like Barbieri, who left for Juve a few days ago. In the season just ended, and always with Banchieri on the bench, Novara reached the play-off semifinal lost, despite a pole in the final, with Reggiana, then promoted to B. All this to say that he was not just any rival and that scoring a lot, suffering almost nothing, is obviously a merit.

It is true that the first half ended only 1-0, but it is equally true that the starting midfield, that is with Arthur and Bentancur in the middle, was seen in the second half, when Portanova, the author of two goals, also shone. Pirlo alternated the defense of three men (Danilo, Bonucci, Chiellini) with the 4-4-2, in which the fourth left was Ramsey, while Alex Sandro went up low. On the other hand, Cuadrado with Kulusevki and Ronaldo in the lead. Practically, Juve marked the maneuver with three centrals and two full-backs in motion (Square and Alex Sandro), Ramsey performed in the center of the field, McKennie and Rabiot. In my opinion, the American he was the most positive in the role of center-back against defense, showing that he not only knows how to recover the ball (which he does best), but also to open (play long) and phrase (play short). Kulusevski’s performance was also very good, despite being a top player, a role that is not entirely yours. From a combination between Cuadrado-Rabiot and, above all, Ronaldo and Kulusevski, the goal of the first advantage was born. Ronaldo, in addition to scoring, is fine and with the ball. He would have deserved another goal, but a couple of his shots either went off or were neutralized by goalkeeper Lanni.

Many changes, as usual, in the second half. Juve initially rebooted with Buffon; Danilo, Demiral, Alex Sandro; Square, Bentancur, Arthur, Ramsey, Pellegrini; Pjaca and Douglas Costa. Then inside also Rugani, De Sciglio, Nicolussi Caviglia and Portanova. Douglas Costa inspired the goals of Ramsey and Pjaca. His performance would have been judged more generously if he hadn’t missed the first four balls of his game, if he hadn’t been stubborn in shooting from afar (three in all), and if he hadn’t tried to taunt opponents by walking a tightrope.

Novara, who had started the game by surprising the Juventus defense in a couple of circumstances, appeared in the rival area also in the second half, but the shots were easy prey for Buffon. On the other hand, however, Portanova touched three balls and scored two goals. The first with a nice diagonal, the second deflecting two steps, a shot by Nicolussi Caviglia, served by Pilgrims. Speaking of the former Cagliari full-back, we’ve finally seen a credible alternative to Alex Sandro. He may not have completed his parable of knowledge about the defensive phase yet, but he certainly pushes with strength, propriety and continuity.

How is he Juve The first and only reliable friendly with seven days to go before the start of the championship? Better than I thought also for the variety of solutions. Ramsey, for example, is still a modest player, but if he gets behind the forwards, he shortens the field for insertions and increases the chances of finishing. The others should be checked and A center forward must be inserted. With Suárez -but I still prefer Dzeko even though the Uruguayan is the best of all- this Juve can withstand Inter’s assault. But this time, before the field, the responses from the market are awaited.