Player ratings as Bianconeri close gap in Serie A title race

Juventus closed the gap to league leaders Milan with a 2-0 win over Bologna on Sunday afternoon.

I Bianconeri took the lead in the 15th minute when Arthur Melo unleashed a long-range strike that deflected a Bologna defender by taking the wrong foot from Lukasz Skorupski and sank into the net.

Juve had a good chance to extend their lead in the first half, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Bernardeschi forcing a nice double save from Skorupski, while Juan Cuadrado also shot from inside the box.

Bologna threatened the hosts and caused a lot of trouble, but their hard work was undone in the 71st minute, when Weston McKennie came in from a corner to put the game past the brave visitors.

I Bianconeri saw the last 20 minutes to claim the three points and reduce his deficit against the Milan leader to seven points.

Let’s take a look at the player ratings of an exciting afternoon in Turin.

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) – 8/10 – Rarely tested in the first half, as Bologna struggled to break through Juve’s powerful rearguard. Spare Cuadrado’s redness with an amazing point-blank stop.

Juan Cuadrado (RB) – 7/10 – Tried to win a penalty early on but played for it, extending his leg into the defender’s path. Naughty. Spoiled an excellent three-on-one by skiing a shot well over the bar. Almost scored an own goal but Szczesny saved it. I got help for the second one.

Leonardo Bonucci (CB) – 8/10 – Helped Juve progress on the pitch with smart and incisive passes. Solid when Bologna began to threaten.

Giorgio Chiellini (CB) – 7/10 – Typically resolved, gaining all available headers. Seemed a bit less secure against Bologna’s quick forwards on the pitch, but covered his gaps well.

Danilo (LB) – 7/10 – Responsible for stopping the creative and delicate Riccardo Orsolini, and endured a few uncomfortable one-on-one moments.

Weston McKennie (RM) – 9/10 – Drifted to the center when Cuadrado burst on the right. Produced relentless runs through the Bologna midfielder and offered neat touches in possession. Completed a man of the match performance with a goal. Influential.

Arthur Melo (CM) – 8/10 – Break the deadlock with a deflected range strike. Showed some defensive intelligence in sensing danger and suppressing it as Bologna grew.

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) – 7/10 – Pressed to the top of the pitch, trying to stop Bologna from playing through Juve’s midfielder. Effective when it worked, but left teammates exposed when it didn’t.

Federico Bernardeschi (LM) – 6/10 – Spoiled a great McKennie run by inflating a terrible cross / shot (no one is sure) on the crossbar. Then missed the rebound after Ronaldo’s low strike. I should have buried him.

Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) – 6/10 – Forced Skorupski into a superb low stop to his right with a pierced shot from the edge of the box. Whipped in a large cross that McKennie should have buried.

Dejan Kulusvski (ST) – 7/10 – Picked up a first card and was right in the thick of the action, dealing and receiving gross fouls. Lots of mazy tracks but lacked final product.

Alvaro Morata (ST) – 7/10

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) – 7/10

Adrien Rabiot (CM) – 7/10

Aaron Ramsey (CM) – 6/10

Merih Demiral (CB) – N / A