OPINION: Daniele Rugani has Juve pedigree, Saponara doesn't (yet)
If there is one thing Juventus fans learned last night, it's that centre-back Daniele Rugani is worth his salt, and is someone with Juventus pedigree.
Asked to come on with the suspended Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini out, the 21-year-old answered the call by performing to a high standard against former club Empoli, helping Juventus maintain their hold on first place in Serie A.
It is a welcome turn of events for the youngster, whose short Juventus career has mostly been spent on the bench, the former Empoli promise playing very little in late 2015. And it looked like things had gotten a whole lot worse when Rugani had a very poor day at the office in the Old Lady's Coppa Italia return leg agaisnt Inter, with Juventus losing 3-0.
Yesterday, however, was his most convincing performance with a Juventus shirt, both in technical terms and in terms of confidence. From barely playing to starting three games in a row against Torino, Sassuolo and Empoli is proof that Juventus can trust him. With Milan knocking on the Bianconeri's door, it looks like Rugani will be lining up once again.
It may have been a good night for Rugani, but you can't say as much for Riccardo Saponara. Was it because he was injured, or because he wanted to show that he was worthy of a big team? Either way, he was hardly a big fish in a big pond, disappearing after the 15th minute, in which he blew a glorious chance.
In fact, the former Milan youth isn't even a big fish in a small pond right now, with his decline in form coinciding with Empoli's. A player who has enchanted the front office - especially Fabio Paratici - Saponara can still become a Juventus-level player. But he isn't one right now.
@NicolaBalice, translated by @EdoDalmonte
