Performance analysis: Positional switch leads to impressive Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus debut


As Juventus began their eighth consecutive title defence in Serie A’s curtain raiser at Chievo, all eyes were on summer signing Cristiano Ronaldo as he made his competitive debut for The Old Lady.

It was an eventful opener for the Italian champions, that’s for sure, and while Ronaldo took time to find his feet, the Portuguese ultimately came good as Max Allegri’s side came from behind to snatch all three points.

It was a flying start for Juventus, who were ahead within three minutes and looked set to steamroll their way past their first opponents of the season but the hosts stood firm thereafter to frustrate the visitors. Sami Khedira’s opener was cancelled out by Mariusz Stepinski later in the half and Chievo had limited the influence of Juve’s new man well.

Ronaldo led the line for the away side but dropped deep and pulled wide in order to pick up possession, with 24 first half touches understandably the fewest of any Juventus outfielder (first half touch map below). He mustered three attempts at goal before the break, the first of which he pulled narratively wide, but none tested opposing keeper Stefano Sorrentino and he failed to create a chance. At the halfway point, no outfield teammate had earned a lower WhoScored.com rating (6.17).

 

Performance analysis: Positional switch leads to impressive Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus debut

 

The second half, however, would prove to be a different story, and when the forward was pushed into a wider role on the left he immediately began to have more of an impact. Within minutes he’d had his first effort on target, albeit with a speculative effort from distance, but the trademark flicks and stopovers came to the fore as Ronaldo grew into the game and in confidence.

He had five shots after the break and having missed the target with all three of his first half attempts, the 33-year-old brought four saves out of Sorrentino after the interval. He so nearly scored a sensational goal too after some a sharp turn saw him outfox three Chievo defenders only for the keeper to pull off a superb diving save from a curling shot from the edge of the box.

Along with his four efforts on target, Ronaldo began to create more from the left flank too, with a whipped cross finding the head of Mario Mandzukic, who could only steer his header wide. The former Real Madrid man forged two chances for his teammates in the second half and completed 93 per cent of his passes.

 

Performance analysis: Positional switch leads to impressive Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus debut

 

His 33 second half touches (above) were not only wider, but further upfield than he was picking up the ball in the first 45 minutes, and his influence in the second half - though not directly involved in either goal, was far greater. In fact, by the final whistle Ronaldo had secured a WhoScored.com rating of 7.50, and while that was not enough to secure the man of the match award - with former Juventus winger Emanuele Giaccherini the recipient for the home side following a goal and assist - the summer signing ended the match as Juventus’ highest rated outfielder, marking some turnaround.

It was a display, all in all, that proved the Portugal international can still very much effect the game from a position on the wing, with many having felt that he would see out his career in a more central position. He looked far more lively on the left, however, and that’s very encouraging for his new fans and manager, knowing that Ronaldo can be adaptable to fit the system, rather than the system merely fitting him.

 


Performance analysis: Positional switch leads to impressive Cristiano Ronaldo Juventus debut