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Udinese-Juventus: Player Ratings in Black and White

Adam Digby@@Adz77X.com LogoFeatured ColumnistSeptember 19, 2010

UDINE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 19:  Fabio Marchisio of Juventus celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match between Udinese and Juventus at Stadio Friuli on September 19, 2010 in Udine, Italy.  (Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images)
Dino Panato/Getty Images

Juventus went into this match with just one point from their opening two games, but with a new sense of belief after clearly improving since the start of the season. That could not be more different than last year's fixture, which was probably the worst performance of an awful season, with no grit and no ideas of how to get back into the game once Udinese took the lead.

Marco Storari: 6

Saw very little action today, but still had some crucial stops. Manninger will have watched from the bench cursing he wasn't protected in the same way on Thursday night.

Marco Motta: 6.5

Rarely troubled defensively, but did make two excellent stops on Di Natale, showing that the lessons of the past few games have not been in vain. A much-improved performance.

Leonardo Bonucci: 7

Superb in the air, particularly in set piece situations, proving every inch as effective as Chiellini in attack. Took the opening goal well, and almost added a second soon after. Very little to do in defence as Udinese seemed determined to attack the flanks.

Giorgio Chiellini: 6.5

Like his three colleagues at the back he had little to do, but was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty. Far from his best, but for the first time in nearly two seasons the team had enough to compensate.

Zdenek Grygera: 6

Did the job asked of him in an unfamiliar left back role, but offered nothing going forward. Cannot be more than a stop-gap in this position.

Simone Pepe: 6.5

Continued his good attacking play shown against Sampdoria, but today the usual defensive workrate was there as he covered Grygera well and gave the midfield great balance.

Felipe Melo: 6.5

Tireless in his efforts to give the defence the day off, the most impressive part of his performance was that it came so soon after his poor showing on Thursday. Last season that kind of display would take the Brazilian weeks to move past. Almost back to his Fiorentina form.

Claudio Marchisio: 7.5

Last week he scored but did little else. Whisper it quietly, but with the Derby d'Italia only two weeks away, Inter's chief tormentor is slowly finding his form. With another goal and an assist to Iaquinta, the all-action displays of a year ago are no longer just a memory.

Milos Krasic: 8 

Excellent again today, covering Motta, then flying into the heart of Udinese's over-worked defence. Two more assists, both very different. The floated cross for Marchisio showed fantastic vision, while the low ball for Quagliarella showed a desire to cause maximum damage. Player of the Day

Fabio Quagliarella: 7.5

Great in possession, some classy touches and a Del Piero-esque finish on his well-taken goal. Showed genuine humility in not celebrating against his former team too.

Alessandro Del Piero: 7

A brilliant first half, causing trouble almost every time he saw the ball, but faded towards the break. Did well to show such energy and spark, having played 180 minutes this week already. A great corner to open the scoring through Bonucci too.


Substitutes:

Momo Sissko: 6.5

Came on for Felipe Melo and didn't lose possession. A good day's work.

Vincenzo Iaquinta: 6.5

Scored a very good goal, was booked for responding to the crowd, missed a couple of other chances.

Nicola Legrottaglie: NM

No time to influence the game.