Manu’s Grab Bag: Rock Bottom … ?

Effectively, that was tough.

In a recreation wherein no matter crew made the least quantity of errors would win, Juventus managed to edge out Napoli in that division and present their southern rivals a 2-1 victory of their go to to the newly-christened Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

As we mentioned on the latest episode of The Old Lady Speaks, with the entire absences that the crew was slated to have this was all the time going to be a troublesome recreation to get an honest outcome out of. However a troublesome job turned an inconceivable one because of Juventus persevering with to shoot themselves within the foot as Napoli ran over them in a second half to overlook.

Let’s cook dinner.

LVP: Wojciech Szczęsny

For the second time in three match days, Juventus’ beginning keeper made an important mistake that value the crew factors. After an honest bounce again efficiency in opposition to Empoli, everybody’s favourite Polish keeper was at it once more, fumbling a comparatively simple save from a Lorenzo Insigne roller — that had little or no energy behind it — that was fast and decisively nestled into the web by Matteo Politano on the rebound.

Look, the crew is already undermanned and within the midst of one in all their worst begins in at the very least 10 years. The very last thing they want is their keeper making highschool stage blunders on a constant foundation.

(I don’t need to relitigate the Gianluigi Donnarumma scenario — I’ve already completed so in a earlier Seize Bag, which you will discover here if you happen to really feel so inclined — however the truth that Woj is within the midst of his worst stint as a Juventus participant because the Italian nationwide crew’s keeper sits on the bench in France seems to be unhealthy for everybody concerned.)

At this level, the query actually turns into this: How lengthy of a leash does Szczęsny get? As a lot as a I like and root for Mattia Perin, he’s removed from a certain factor; all of us like Carlo Pinsoglio much more as an affable fan favourite third-string keeper than as a starter, so what do you do if you’re Max Allegri?

Do you bench Szczesny for subsequent recreation and threat shattering no matter stays of his already fragile confidence? Do you gamble primarily your entire season on the prospect that Perin can return to the shape that made him top-of-the-line keepers in Serie A? What number of frantic midnight texts has Federico Cherubini despatched PSG’s method already to attempt to dealer a mortgage deal in January?

It’s all-around unhealthy occasions brewing between the sticks for the Bianconeri. Simply in case, nonetheless …

Seize Bag MVP Season Chief: Paulo Dybala (1 level)

Loser: Moise Kean

Look, I’m nonetheless bullish on Moise Kean, you may’t inform me what to do. I’ll die on this hill. On that notice, could I curiosity you in some supper reasonably priced Mario Lemina inventory I’ve been holding?

Nevertheless it’s simple that so far as anticlimactic fan favourite returns go, Keane’s on Saturday ranks fairly excessive up there. With the sport tied 1-1, Allegri despatched Keane on for a completely spent Alvaro Morata — who, misplaced amidst the debacle, had a reasonably stable recreation — and for us Kean stans this look set to be a dream debut for the Juve youth prospect.

Rating a objective on a counter, bust out the strikes, get the three factors — it might have been superior. To his credit score, he did put a header on objective … however sadly it was the flawed objective as his horrendous “clearance” off a Napoli nook kick arrange Kalidou Koulibaly’s eventual recreation winner on the deflection.

You recognize what? Upon additional reflection, no, this was not on Kean. Why is Szczęsny not going up there and punching that ball away? That’s within the 6-yard field, that’s a keeper’s ball if I’ve ever seen one. Chalk one other howler up for outdated Szczęsny.

(I’m solely half joking with that take, by the way in which.)

The Fullback that was Promised

Two years after he was technically signed on as a Juventus participant, Luca Pellegrini lastly performed significant Serie A minutes for the Bianconeri — and he was OK. This was a respectable shock to me.

After buying him from Roma in a swap with Leonardo Spinazzola — who went on to develop into top-of-the-line fullbacks in Italy, as a result of certain, why not — Juventus appeared intent on by no means permitting the younger Italian to go well with up for them.

He went on mortgage stints at Cagliari after which Genoa and rumors surfaced that he is perhaps loaned out but once more this switch season. Keep in mind, the Juventus left flank isn’t being presently manned by prime Real Madrid period Marcelo or a peak stage Roberto Carlos, both. The previous couple of seasons, depth on the place has been a obvious want and with Alex Sandro producing diminishing returns it is not fully unreasonable to recommend {that a} younger participant may break by means of and get first rate minutes. Which occurred! Final season Gianluca Frabotta — of all individuals — obtained loads of time on the left flank and he isn’t even good!

We’ve seen Blaise Matuidi play there for a second, Danilo and Mattia De Sciglio obtained a shot there. Hell, Federico Bernardeschi was shoehorned in there as effectively. Was Pellegrini actually that horrible that he couldn’t beat out these guys? Might he stroll straight even? Was he conscious of what soccer is and the best way to play it?

You may think about my shock then when he lastly began and was, effectively, he was effective. He performed stable protection and put a pair harmful crosses by means of. I’d day he was a wealthy man’s Frabotta. I used to be not upset at him in any respect.

On condition that I might have rated him as a hit if he may run with out tripping over himself, I’d say this was a reasonably profitable outing from the younger Italian all issues thought of.

One Shining Second

I mentioned up prime that I might provide you with one good factor to come back out of this recreation and I’m a person of my phrase so right here it’s.

Photograph by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Getty Pictures

Aaron Ramsey is again, child! Championship again on!

I’m kidding. It’s truly that Juve paired their residence package with black shorts and it seems to be actually good! I believe it is quite a bit higher than their normal white on white package combine and I hope they maintain utilizing it as a result of its very sharp trying.

I didn’t say it was going to be an necessary factor, I mentioned it’d be good and you’ll’t inform me the boys didn’t look fly on the market as they threw away yet one more lead. Certain, they misplaced, however they did it with class and that’s not nothing.

Parting Shot of the Week

There’s a sensible state of affairs wherein Juventus wakes up on Monday down 8 factors to the Serie A leaders. Math has by no means been my robust go well with, however that appears not nice.

I do know that the season is simply beginning and with so many absences it was all the time going to be laborious to get a win from Naples, however that is going to be a brilliant tight title race and I am unable to think about that recognizing your rivals eight factors from the get go will not have an effect within the standings when it is all mentioned and completed.

After Morata scored the go-ahead objective and Juventus performed a realistic, managed, classic Allegri first half, I legitimately thought they may pull this off. After yet one more second-half collapse, I’m beginning to surprise what number of extra they will have earlier than it turns into simply the kind of crew they’re.

Up subsequent we obtained the Champions League opener in opposition to Malmo, a crew they should beat to not make their European group stage future more durable than it must be. I’d be mendacity if I mentioned I used to be assured.

See you Tuesday.