Juventus

3.29

• 
  15

  1

  3.00

  Gianluigi Buffon

  Aside from the odd harmless cross into his area, the captain had next to nothing to do for the entire 90 minutes. Unlikely that he'll have an easier outing all season.

• 
  13

  1

  3.00

  Martín Cáceres

  Strong in the air, Caceres dealt well with everything that Udinese threw at him from an aerial perspective, while also threatening at the other end with a header that looped just over the bar.

• 
  12

  1

  3.00

  Paolo De Ceglie

  Effectively played as a winger having pushed right forward from the first whistle. However, while he repeatedly stretched the Udinese defence, he never managed to pick anyone out in the area.

• 
  13

  1

  3.50

  Andrea Barzagli

  A formidable presence at the back for the Bianconeri, Barzagli also stepped out of defence to good effect whenever the opportunity presented itself, with a wonderfully measured ball down the line to Lichsteiner the highlight of his evening.

• 
  9

  4

  3.00

  Leonardo Bonucci

  Although occasionally ruffled by the direct running of Muriel, Bonucci proved predictably reliable at the heart of the Juve defence. He also caused problems in the Udinese box, sending a looping header just over the bar.

• 
  12

  1

  3.00

  Stephan Lichtsteiner

  As usual, the Swiss was never afraid to get in behind the opposition defence, even popping up in the middle of the box 13 minutes in only to see his shot blocked. However, all too often his final ball let him down.

• 
  37

  6

  4.50

  Paul Pogba Top of the Match

  Kept things ticking over nicely in the middle of the park, going about his business with the minimum of fuss. However, he then underlined just how explosive he can be by firing an absolute missile into the top corner just before the break. Decided to do it again midway through the second half, this time with a low drive from distance. Oustanding goals from an outstanding talent.

• 
  15

  2

  3.00

  Arturo Vidal

  When he wasn't snapping at the feet of Udinese players, picking up his customary booking in the process, he was surging forward to support his forwards. The Chilean was very nearly rewarded for his endeavour 15 minutes in but his fine strike was tipped over by Padelli. Only had himself to blame, though, after missing an easier chance in the second period.

• 
  9

  3

  3.50

  Emanuele Giaccherini

  Charged with the responsibility of filling in for Marchisio, Giaccherini came close to breaking the deadlock after bursting forward in the manner of his fellow Italy international, but he was denied by Padelli. He also called Padelli into action again with a weak effort during the second half. No end product but dynamic throughout.

• 
  11

  5

  4.00

  Mirko Vučinić

  Began brightly, linking well with Giovinco as well as putting Giaccherini in on goal with a nicely weighted through-ball. Got the goal his constant creativity deserved on 72 minutes, albeit with a helping hand from Padelli. However, there was nothing fortunate about his fine assist for Matri.

• 
  10

  4

  2.50

  Sebastian Giovinco

  Very lively early on, the diminutive forward proved a constant menace to Udinese's back three and not just with his quick feet. Indeed, it was his dead-ball delivery that Caceres headed just wide. However, he faded badly and was called ashore during the interval.

Substitutions

• 
  8

  2

  Mauricio Isla

  Replaced De Ceglie for the final seven minutes, which was simply not enough time to make a real impact.

• 
  8

  2

  Simone Padoin

  Took over in midfield from Vidal for the closing stages, but did not do anything worthy of mention.

• 
  17

  2

  3.50

  Alessandro Matri

  Came on in place of Giovinco during the break and wasted little time in making his presence felt with a scintillating run down the left wing. That ultimately came to nothing but Matri kept plugging away and got his just deserts when he finished coolly after being put through by Vucinic.

Udinese

2.62

• 
  1

  1

  3.00

  Daniele Padelli

  Probably did not deserve to be on the losing side, having done remarkably well to keep the game scoreless with a string of smart stops, most notably from Giaccherini. In addition, he was given absolutely no chance by Pogba's screamer.

• 
  0

  3

  2.50

  Danilo

  Played a key role in keeping Udinese in the game for so long with a succession of timely blocks and headed interventions but was ultimately overrun in the final quarter.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Dušan Basta

  Unable to offer anything resembling an attacking outlet down the Udinese right, having been forced to defend deep by the adventurous De Ceglie. However, he did at least play a part in keeping his Juventus counterpart quiet.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Maurizio Domizzi

  Made numerous vital interceptions during a first half which Udinese spent almost entirely on the back foot. Indeed, he did wonderfully well in throwing his body in the way of a goal-bound effort from Giovinco.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Giovanni Pasquale

  Did not manage to trouble Juventus going forward, primarily because he spent most of his evening trying to contain Lichsteiner, which he made a reasonably good fist of.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Thomas Heurtaux

  A pretty composed figure at the back for Udinese, particularly during a torrid opening 45 minutes. The Frenchman also showed a willingess to get on the ball and bring it out from the back. However, he must take some blame for allowing Vucinic to turn him before netting Juve's third goal.

• 
  0

  0

  2.00

  Allan

  Struggled badly to get a grip on things in midfield and he was also left red-faced after being left on his backside in the second half after stupidly going to ground in a bid to tackle Matri, who simply scampered away from him down the left wing.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Andrea Lazzari

  One of Udinese's better players, Lazzarri was unable to make much happen going forward but he did at least put himself about well in midfield.

• 
  2

  0

  2.00

  Roberto Pereyra Flop of the Match

  Given an unexpected chance to shine because of the concerns over Di Natale's fitness, but he failed miserably to take advantage. It came as no surprise when Guidolin decided just three minutes into the second half that a half-fit Di Natale was better than a fully-fit Pereyra.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Giampiero Pinzi

  Unable to produce anything positive going forward, but he tried valiantly to keep Juventus at bay, as evidenced by his terrific block on a shot from Lichsteiner in the opening exchanges. Also picked up a booking for his troubles.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Muriel

  Whenever he got a chance to run at the Juventus defence, he looked a handful. Unfortunately, he was too often crowded out given Pereyra offered him next to no support. However, on the down side, he snatched at a decent half-chance midway through the second half and his frustration manifested itself in a booking for mouthing off.

Substitutions

• 
  0

  0

  Gabriel Silva

  Thrown on in place of Pasquale but his influence was negligible.

• 
  0

  0

  2.50

  Maicosuel

  Saw just 15 minutes of action but even less of the ball.

• 
  2

  0

  2.50

  Antonio Di Natale

  Restricted to the role of impact substitute because of injury but it was a role that he was literally not fit to fill.