Bianconeri defeated in Reggio Emilia, betrayed by a negative performance both behind and in front. And Kolo Muani is now a case: he doesn’t score or shoot on goal (despite having been paid 50 million)…
Without defense and practically without attack, she clings to Zhegrova’s shoulders and is punished in the last action of a crazy match without football logic. Juventus suffered their first defeat of the season against Sassuolo, a week after avoiding the defeat against Milan at the last minute. Bad, very bad for Spalletti who has no good news to report to Turin at the end of a disconcerting performance in terms of approach, defensive organization and weight up front.
The way in which Sassuolo’s attackers pierced the Juventus defense – if you can call it that – three times is textbook in reverse. Wrong positions, huge spaces left in front and behind, alarm bells ignored until the final mess with Adzic, himself, who punctured Vicario to give Sassuolo the victory. Arguing that the turnaround came because Juventus was courageously trying to complete the task and win makes no sense: Spalletti’s team lacked balance from start to finish and close to the ninetieth minute they only stretched further on the pitch.
No one was saved, apart from Zhegrova who came off the bench when needed and had a sensational impact. The others, all rejected with special mention for an impalpable midfield in the defense protection phase, without quality in the construction and constantly blown away by the Emilians. Not just in the final convulsion. A disaster.
If Spalletti wanted comforting answers on the eve of his European debut and to not lose too much contact with the top of the table, the mission failed. Bad. He tried in every way, even attempting the desperate card of Woldemade placed next to Kolo Muani who continues to be a non-paying spectator of Juventus evenings.
There is a fact that makes the French case a well-established case. On the evening of the fall at the Mapei Stadium he finished with a poor shot towards the opponent’s goal (which was also rejected), bringing the total of the first matchdays to 9 (2 on target) with goals expected from a midfielder and not from a striker: 1.56 in 360 minutes on the pitch. Spalletti, after criticizing him, started to defend him but without someone who translates the work of others into goals, especially the wingers, and with a defense that doesn’t defend you’re going nowhere. It’s too early for definitive rejections, it’s late to take what is happening lightly.
