Player Ratings

Juventus 4-1 Udinese, Player Ratings: Ronaldo starts 2021 with a bang

The Portuguese superstar continued his stunning form in 2020/21 with two goals and an assist

 
10:43pm on Sunday 3rd January 2021
By
Carlo Garganese

A new year, same old Cristiano Ronaldo.

Juventus earned a much-needed 4-1 win over Udinese in Turin, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice and making a superb assist for Federico Chiesa. Paulo Dybala also grabbed a confidence-boosting goal in injury time.

The result ensured the Bianconeri took all three points ahead of their trip to league leaders Milan on Wednesday.

So who were the standout performers?

Juventus v Udinese: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats

✔️ GOOD PERFORMANCE

Federico Chiesa: 7.7

The summer signing from Fiorentina continues to be Juventus' most productive attacking player after Cristiano Ronaldo and the injured Alvaro Morata.

His direct running and pressing caused Udinese problems and he scored his third goal in a Juventus shirt by latching onto a wonderful Ronaldo pass and burying a left-footed finish past Juan Musso.

He also missed out on a fantastic assist when Aaron Ramsey scored from his through ball. However, the goal was disallowed because the Welshman had handled the ball. Nevertheless, he still created two big chances in the game, more than anyone else on the pitch. He also attempted five shots, again more than anyone else before he was substituted.

Aaron Ramsey: 7.7

Juventus have struggled to find an advanced midfielder to support the attack this season, but Ramsey has proved to be the best option for Andrea Pirlo.

He was pivotal in the build-up to Ronaldo's opener as he pressed high up the pitch and stole the ball, which allowed the ex-Real Madrid man to do the rest.

The former Arsenal star also got on the scoresheet himself in the second half, finishing at the second time of asking from Federico Chiesa's pass. However, the goal was disallowed as he had touched the ball with his hand before striking home.

In total, he had an impressive four shots and won all of his attempted tackles.

STAR MAN

Cristiano Ronaldo: 9.5

The Portuguese superstar is showing no signs of slowing down as he started the year with yet another world class performance.

Juventus were struggling in the first half and fortunate to see Rodrigo De Paul have a goal disallowed for Udinese. That was until Ronaldo made the most out of a half-opening, cutting in from the left before lashing a powerful right-footed shot into the far corner.

He produced an even bigger moment of magic in the second period with a delightful assist for Chiesa. The 35-year-old caressed the ball through on goal for the Italian to fire past Musso.

Ronaldo wasn't finished there as he soon found the net for a second time, finishing with aplomb from a Rodrigo Bentancur pass.

Having scored more league goals in 2020 than any player in Europe's top five leagues, he is once again top scorer in Serie A with 14 strikes this season.

Juventus v Udinese: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats

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