Juventus player ratings from the victory over Como

Juventus began their 2024-25 Serie A campaign in emphatic style with a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Como at the Allianz Stadium.

Under the guidance of new manager Thiago Motta, the Bianconeri fielded a youthful lineup that did not disappoint, marking the start of what many hope will be a successful new era for the club.

The standout performer of the night was 20-year-old Samuel Mbangula, who made an immediate impact on his senior debut.

Mbangula opened the scoring early in the match, justifying his selection and silencing any doubters. His well-taken goal set the tone for Juventus, who dominated proceedings throughout the encounter.

Timothy Weah, another young talent, doubled Juventus’ lead just before halftime with a clinical finish from his weaker foot.

Despite nursing an injury, Weah’s determination was evident, and his goal provided a crucial cushion for the Bianconeri. His performance, however, was cut short as he was substituted at halftime.

Juventus rounded off the night with a third goal from Andrea Cambiaso, who had been shifted from right-back to right-wing following Weah’s exit.

Cambiaso not only provided the assist for Mbangula’s opener but also capped off a brilliant individual performance with a clever finish that left Como’s goalkeeper Pepe Reina stranded.

On the defensive end, Juventus’ backline, led by captain Federico Gatti, remained largely untroubled throughout the match. The experienced Gleison Bremer and debutant Juan Cabal both put in solid shifts, with Cabal showing promise despite a few distribution errors.

Midfield play was anchored by Khephren Thuram, who displayed maturity beyond his years, and Manuel Locatelli, who played an integral role in the opening goal but had to be cautious after receiving a yellow card early in the game.

Juventus’ attack was spearheaded by Dusan Vlahovic, who endured a frustrating night. The Serbian striker came close to scoring on several occasions, only to be denied by the woodwork and a tight offside call.

The victory is an encouraging sign for Juventus, as they look to reclaim their status at the top of Italian football under Motta’s leadership.

The blend of young talent and experienced players appears to be a promising formula for success in the new season.

Juventus Player Ratings:

• Michele Di Gregorio: 6 – Barely tested, but attentive when called upon.
• Andrea Cambiaso: 7.5 – Versatile and effective, contributed both in attack and defense.
• Gleison Bremer: 6.5 – Solid and dependable at the back.
• Federico Gatti: 6.5 – Composed and steady as captain.
• Juan Cabal: 6.5 – Showed promise on debut, needs to refine his passing.
• Khephren Thuram: 7 – Mature and confident in midfield.
• Manuel Locatelli: 6 – Played well but had to be cautious after an early booking.
• Timothy Weah: 7 – Gritted through injury to score his first Serie A goal.
• Kenan Yildiz: 7 – Showed flashes of brilliance in the number 10 role.
• Samuel Mbangula: 8 – Star of the night with a goal and an assist.
• Dusan Vlahovic: 6 – Unlucky not to score, kept his spirits high.

Substitutes:

• Nicolò Savona: 6 – Calm and collected on debut.
• Nicolò Fagioli: 6 – Positive impact in his cameo.
• Douglas Luiz: N/A – No significant time on the pitch.

Juventus will look to build on this strong start as they continue their Serie A campaign, with fans eager to see how Motta’s youthful squad will fare in the challenges ahead.