The primary spherical of video games within the group stage of the 2022 World Cup has come to an finish and Juventus’ contingent in Qatar has been closely concerned all through. Let’s take a fast spin across the squads and see how the Bianconeri have carried out.
Goalkeeper
Wojciech Szczesny [Poland 0-0 Mexico] – Juve’s beginning goalkeeper had a stable recreation between the sticks, retaining his clear sheet streak going from his membership run of six straight video games main as much as the winter break. Definitely El Tri’s wayward ending with solely 4 pictures hitting the goal of their 11 makes an attempt meant Tek’s job was not a really troublesome one. Subsequent is the sport on Saturday in opposition to Saudi Arabia.
Defenders
Alex Sandro [Brazil 2-0 Serbia] – The primary of a trio of Juventus defenders within the Seleção squad, the fullback appeared rejuvenated taking part in for Brazil. Sandro was closely concerned for Tite’s facet of their win, wanting extra just like the Sandro of outdated. The 31-year-old made a team-best 90 passes at 94% accuracy (second on the staff), cracking a shot off the publish from distance and his seven clearances and one interception additionally led his facet.
Danilo [Brazil 2-0 Serbia] – The versatile defender began on the proper again place placing in an environment friendly efficiency in each halves of the pitch, matching his Juve teammate’s depth on the opposite facet. The 31-year-old ended up with precisely one shot, one sort out, one interception, one clearance, one block, one aerial and one foul.
Gleison Bremer [Brazil 2-0 Serbia] – The summer time signing was on the substitutes bench and didn’t function within the recreation with Thiago Silva and Marquinhos getting the nod.
Photograph by Ian MacNicol/Getty Photos
Midfielders
Filip Kostic [Serbia 0-2 Brazil] – The large participant didn’t make Dragan Stojkovic’s beginning lineup and was not one of many 5 subs used both because the Serbs went on the lookout for a second half equalizer.
Adrien Rabiot [France 4-1 Australia] – Juve’s participant of the season continued his wonderful kind (and occasional errors) into his Les Bleus journey. With a handful of midfielders injured, Rabiot has been elevated to a beginning function for Didier Deschamps and he paid him again scoring as soon as and choosing up an help as France overcame a stunning opener from the Aussies to run riot. In a French squad laden with superstars, Rabiot simply held his personal and his efficiency portends properly for each participant and staff.
Leandro Paredes [Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia] – The summer time signing has been poor at instances for Juve resulting in his being dropped by Massimiliano Allegri, and his efficiency for the Albiceleste within the beautiful upset by Saudi Arabia confirmed no motive for the coach to alter his thoughts about him. Being one of many least worst gamers on a staff that was affected by ineffective performers shouldn’t be actually a credit score regardless of his 93% passing accuracy when he did have the ball. On paper, this was a sensible switch, however Juventus are slowly realizing why PSG have been completely happy to be rid of him.
Photograph by Pablo Morano/BSR Company/Getty Photos
Weston McKennie [USA 1-1 Wales] – The USMNT appeared unimaginable for big components of the primary half as they ran over Wales and did principally every part however rating greater than as soon as. Nonetheless, as soon as they did take the lead they sat again (a la Juve) and let Wales push ahead on the lookout for the equalizer within the second half, which duly arrived. McKennie although had a comparatively quiet recreation, probably tempered by his early thirteenth minute reserving. When he went off within the 66th minute, he had gained one aerial, and had no pictures, dribbles, tackles or interceptions, however did add two blocks and clearances every.
Forwards
Angel Di Maria [Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia] – The excessive however disciplined backline of Saudi Arabia meant Argentina resorted to balls over the defence within the first half, and each single time they strayed offside. Di Maria noticed loads of the ball as he tried to make issues occur on the appropriate flank, however his two pictures and 5 dribbles got here to naught, together with his six losses of possession the best amongst his teammates.
Dusan Vlahovic [Serbia 0-2 Brazil] – The Juventus striker didn’t begin for Stojkovic, however got here on after the hour mark when Brazil took the lead. It was a irritating evening for Vlahovic, who has usually struggled in opposition to bodily central defenders. He gained two aerials, had three losses of possession however with solely ten touches the ahead didn’t get a shot off or full a dribble within the half an hour or so he was on the pitch.
Photograph by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP by way of Getty Photos
Arkadiusz Milik [Poland 0-0 Mexico] – The striker was an 88th minute substitute because the Poles went on the lookout for a winner to settle the stalemate after star Robert Lewandowski noticed his penalty saved. Milik managed one dribble and no pictures from 9 touches within the little time he was on.