Socrates

Khephren Thuram is now at risk of being cut off from the Juventus project Khephren Thuram ended last season as Juventus’ standout midfielder, an outcome that surprised many because he was the least experienced and the least expected to excel among the three midfielders recruited at the time. While Douglas Luiz and Teun Koopmeiners struggled to find consistency, Thuram distinguished himself as an astute signing and opened the current campaign strongly under Igor Tudor. His performances suggested that he was developing into a confident box-to-box presence, frequently driving forward and contributing goals that proved valuable for the team. ............ Despite that early promise, the last few months have been more challenging. Thuram has found it difficult to adapt to the style of play that new manager Luciano Spalletti is trying to implement. Although his ability is not in doubt, the midfielder has not yet found a way to translate his strengths into the system favoured by the new manager. When Spalletti replaced Tudor, the men in black and white worked diligently to ensure the transition was smooth and that the team began the new phase with momentum. Some players responded positively to the change, but not all of them have adjusted at the same pace, and Thuram is among those currently struggling to meet expectations. ............ The Bianconeri are considering their options and could offload Thuram if improvements are not evident soon. The midfielder has a limited window to re-establish himself and show that he can contribute meaningfully to Spalletti’s vision. If he fails to convince the manager, Fabio Miretti is expected to retain his place, while the club explores the possibility of moving the Frenchman elsewhere. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/khephren-thuram-is-now-at-risk-of-being-cut-off-from-the-juventus-project/

Pafos sporting director sends a message to Juventus Juventus face Pafos in the Champions League this week, and it would be unwise for them to underestimate the Cypriot club, a team that has grown rapidly in stature in recent years. Pafos strengthened their squad in the summer with the eye-catching signing of David Luiz, a move that surprised many and marked the club as a side willing to make bold decisions as they prepared for the league phase of the competition. Their rise to the forefront of Cypriot football has been driven by strategic planning and ambitious investment from their owners, who have prioritised long-term progress rather than short-term fixes. ............ Part of this evolution has involved significant changes behind the scenes. The appointment of former Udinese director Cristiano Giaretta has been central to their restructuring. He has overseen wide-ranging improvements that have shaped Pafos into a club capable of challenging established European sides. Under his guidance, they have become more organised, more ambitious and more confident, qualities that pose a potential threat to Juventus. The Bianconeri will enter the match knowing the importance of avoiding any complacency and will be aware that Pafos have already shown they can compete against strong opposition. ............ Giaretta expressed his optimism ahead of the meeting, highlighting the team’s resilience and European form. He said: “So far, only Bayern have managed to beat us. After the draw, I would have been content with the excitement of playing at the Allianz Stadium, but now we have a new goal: to get to the final matchday with Slavia Prague still in contention for the playoffs. It will be difficult because after Juventus we will face Chelsea, but it is no longer impossible.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/pafos-sporting-director-sends-a-message-to-juventus/

Capello criticises Spalletti over Yildiz claims: ‘Hard to say’ Fabio Capello feels it’s ‘hard’ to ask more from Kenan Yildiz and says that even if Luciano Spalletti was trying to motivate the squad, he should have delivered his criticism behind closed doors. ............ “Spalletti has just arrived, he’s trying to do things, bring ideas and give the team more personality,” Capello said. “In the match against Napoli, maybe he was a bit intimidated by Conte’s side and, knowing the strength of their midfield, he decided to play without a centre-forward. It didn’t work well. “Napoli are a team with quality, and when they defend, they do it with a lot of men, with compactness and without leaving much space,” Capello continued. “Spalletti is trying to find some solutions, and after three consecutive positive results, he wanted to pick up points. That’s how I see it. But you could see the difference between the two teams.” ............ “Yildiz is one of those players you have to leave free. Of course, he has to get back into possession when you lose the ball, but then he needs the license to invent things,” he said. “Players with quality and creativity have to be allowed to express themselves. It wasn’t the right context, against such a sharp and determined team, which actually positively impressed me. “The ball moves slowly and rarely vertically, that’s something not easy to fix because it’s been going on since last year. That means it’s a problem of players’ characteristics. “The ball moves quickly when you have players with technique and vision, who aren’t afraid of trying a vertical pass. Thuram is a player who carries the ball, Locatelli sees the play, he could also play vertically, but perhaps there aren’t movements in that direction because his teammates prefer to receive the pass at their feet. The only one who asked for the ball in behind got injured, and that was Vlahovic.” ............ “I think that was something to be discussed internally when reviewing the match with the players; there was no need to say it to the media,” concluded the ex-coach. “I think we all ask more of our players, but right now it’s hard to say that about Yildiz. He was probably trying to motivate them, but even sort of guilt trip towards Locatelli seemed a bit too much to me.” ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/capello-criticises-spalletti-over-yildiz-claims-hard-to-say/

Atalanta set €35m price for young wingback wanted at Juventus Juventus and Roma will have to splash the cash if they wish to stand a chance at signing Atalanta wingback Marco Palestra. The 20-year-old is considered one of the best talents to emerge from La Dea’s famous academy in recent years. ............ Atalanta allowed Palestra to join Cagliari on loan this season in order to gain valuable playing time in Serie A. ............ The Bianconeri had already been linked with the Atalanta youth product last summer, while Roma were impressed by his display against them on Sunday, as he helped the Isolani earn a shock victory over the Italian capital side. The Giallorossi would thus like to reunite him with Gasperini. ............ Atalanta have no intention to sell the young Italian in the summer, but they instead plan to reintegrate him back into the squad once his loan spell with Cagliari expires. Therefore, the Bergamo-based club would only consider irresistible offers, starting from €35 million. Hence, it remains to be seen if Juventus or Roma would be willing to fork out such a hefty sum on the rising prospect. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/atalanta-price-tag-juventus-marco-palestra/

Sono d'accordo. É ovviamente John Elkann che decide come devono comportarsi coloro che lavorano alla Juventus. Per quello dicevo che Chiellini e gli altri dirigenti devono seguire le linee guida della proprietá se vogliono continuare a far parte della dirigenza bianconera.

Preview: Juventus vs Pafos FC - prediction, team news, lineups Locked together on six points, both Juventus and Pafos FC are fighting to avoid Champions League elimination before the clubs clash on Wednesday evening. ............ Match preview Finally getting off the mark after five matches, Juventus beat Bodo/Glimt in a thrilling climax to their last Champions League outing, essentially keeping alive dreams of reaching the knockout phase. ............ Previously, they had followed two dramatic draws - 4-4 against Borussia Dortmund and 2-2 versus Villarreal - with defeat to Real Madrid, before sharing the spoils with Sporting Lisbon. Despite a downturn in fortunes over the past few years, Juventus have still lost just two of their last 11 home games in Europe - and two of their last three fixtures will be held in Turin. Before hosting Benfica and visiting Monaco in January, the Bianconeri must seek a vital victory over Pafos. However, heading into Wednesday's game, new boss Luciano Spalletti will be concerned about his team's defensive frailties: Juventus have conceded in every Champions League match this season - and in eight straight since January - at an average of two goals per game. In Sunday's Serie A showdown with reigning champions Napoli, Spalletti's side were carved open again, as they left his former home at Stadio Maradona empty-handed. Despite Turkish talisman Kenan Yildiz getting them back into the contest during a tense second half, Juve were ultimately beaten 2-1, leaving them a distant seventh in Italy's top flight. ............ Juventus Champions League form: D D L D W Juventus form (all competitions): D D W W W L Pafos FC Champions League form: D L D W D Pafos FC form (all competitions): W D W D W W Team News As Dusan Vlahovic has been ruled out of action until next year, either Lois Openda or Canada star David could lead Juve's attack - albeit Yildiz was tried as a false nine in Naples. Aside from his strike against Napoli, seven of the latter's eight Serie A goal involvements this season have come on home turf, at the Allianz Stadium. In addition to top scorer Vlahovic, Spalletti is also without centre-backs Federico Gatti, Daniele Rugani and Bremer, so Teun Koopmeiners is set to continue in an unfamiliar defensive role. ............ Juventus possible starting lineup: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Kelly, Koopmeiners; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; David Pafos FC possible starting lineup: Michael; Bruno, Luiz, Luckassen, Goldar; Sunjic, Pepe; Jaja, Dragomir, Orsic; Anderson We say: Juventus 1-1 Pafos FC Since reaching their last Champions League final in 2017, fallen giants Juventus have experienced some humbling moments in Europe, and they may be hit by another blow to their battered pride on Wednesday. Not only are Pafos in fine recent form, but the Cypriot side have proven tough to beat in this league phase, conceding no goals on the road so far. . Read more -> https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/juventus/champions-league/preview/juventus-vs-pafos-prediction-team-news-lineups_587391.html

Juventus cannot underestimate the Premier League interest in Yildiz Kenan Yildiz has become a highly sought-after player, and the longer he continues to feature for Juventus without committing to a new contract, the closer he appears to moving away from the club. The men in black and white understand the urgency of the situation and know they must act swiftly to secure him on a new long-term agreement. Although a renewed contract offers no guarantee that he will remain until its final year, it would at least protect the Bianconeri from the risk of losing him next summer. ............ Juve retain confidence that they can keep the talented attacker, and Yildiz seems content in Turin, provided the club can reach an agreement with his entourage. There is a belief internally that progress is being made and that an agreement may be close, yet until he signs officially, there remains no certainty that he will continue as a Juventus player next season. The situation demands careful management, as the club cannot assume that optimism alone will be enough to secure his future. ............ Interest in Yildiz is strongest in the Premier League, and clubs such as Arsenal are serious in their admiration of the young forward. This makes him a player the Bianconeri cannot afford to gamble on. As long as he performs at a high level without a renewed deal, the pressure on Juventus will intensify. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-cannot-underestimate-the-premier-league-interest-in-yildiz/

Spalletti & Conte post-match exchange summarise Napoli vs Juventus Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti admitted Napoli were the better side on Sunday in his small talk with his counterpart, Antonio Conte. The two Italians are some of the most accomplished managers in the current era. However, they had never crossed paths in an official contest before this weekend’s clash at the Stadio Maradona. ............ On Sunday, Conte had the last laugh, beating his former employers by two goals to one thanks to Rasmus Hojlund’s brace. In addition to the disappointing result, Spalletti was also chastised by the media for his team’s shambolic display, and his baffling decisions, whether in the starting lineup or during the course of the match. As per custom, the two managers shared a brief exchange at the final whistle, and the cameras were able to catch what Spalletti had told his opposite number. “Congratulations. Boy, did you (Napoli) run hard!” said the Juventus boss. ............ This lighthearted comment entailed a genuine admission from Spalletti, who conceded that his side wasn’t able to cope with Napoli’s superior pace. The Bianconeri were hoping to capitalise on Napoli’s midfield crisis by loading the middle of the park and creating a numerical advantage, but they were second to almost every ball. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/spalletti-conte-post-match-exchange-summarise-napoli-vs-juventus/

Yildiz reacts after disappointing Napoli 2-1 Juventus defeat: ‘We need your support’ Kenan Yildiz has begged the Juventus supporters to stick with the team following their disappointing 2-1 defeat away against reigning Serie A champions Napoli on Sunday evening. ............ This result means that the Old Lady have only won two of their five Serie A matches since Spalletti took over at the end of October, which came against Cremonese and Cagliari. They were held to draws by Fiorentina and Torino and have now lost in Spalletti’s first ‘big test’ in the league. ............ “We couldn’t get the result we wanted yesterday, but we are working hard to get better,” the 20-year-old wrote. “During the process we need your support and we thank you for that.” Despite the fact that Juventus currently find themselves in seventh place in the Serie A standings, this has been an increasingly impressive individual campaign from Yildiz, who is now up to five league goals for the season plus another in the Champions League. He also has a further five assists to his name across all competitions this term. ............ . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/yildiz-reacts-after-napoli-2-1-juventus-loss/

Juventus star lands on Liverpool’s four-man shortlist for Salah replacement Liverpool had reportedly drawn a four-man shortlist to replace the unhappy Mohamed Salah, and it includes rising Juventus star Kenan Yildiz. The Egyptian attacker has been the Reds’ standout star since joining the club in the summer of 2017. However, he is currently enduring his darkest hour at Anfield Road. ............ Therefore, Arne Slot has decided to drop him from the starting lineup in the club’s last three fixtures. Following the club’s 3-3 draw against Leeds United on Saturday, Salah spilt the beans, accusing the club of identifying him as the scapegoat of their miserable start to the season. ............ Hence, Liverpool are said to be preparing for a future with Salah. According to Bild, Yildiz is one of the profiles under consideration. The 20-year-old has now cemented himself as Juve’s ultimate superstar. However, he still earns a relatively low salary (€1.7 million), and the hierarchy has yet to find an agreement with his entourage on a new deal. The Turk’s contract situation has left the door open for his many suitors in the Premier League and the rest of Europe, as they hope to lure him away from Turin by offering him a lucrative salary. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/kenan-yildiz-liverpool-shortlist-salah-juventus/

Stramaccioni berates Juventus attacker: “The fans don’t like his attitude” Former Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni blasts Juventus striker Jonathan David after another listless display in the 1-2 defeat to Napoli. ............ David was relegated to the bench following Luciano Spalletti’s appointment. However, Dusan Vlahovic will be out until the spring after suffering a serious injury, which gave the Brooklyn native a new lifeline. And yet, Canada’s all-time goalscorer was dropped from the starting lineup against Napoli. Spalletti preferred to entrust Kenan Yildiz with the false 9 role, before changing his mind at the interval following a miserable 45 minutes. ............ For his part, Stramaccioni believes that the former LOSC Lille star has an attitude issue, arguing that he didn’t show the required desire and tenacity. “Spalletti had put an out-of-contract player like Vlahovic at the centre of the project. And when he’s missing, he leaves David out,” said the former Inter and Udinese manager in his post-match appearance. “When the Canadian entered the pitch, we see that he’s not willing to ‘eat grass,’ but has the wrong attitude that Juventus fans don’t like. “At this point, I think there’s no chemistry in the dressing room between Spalletti and the Juventus forwards.” . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/stramaccioni-jonathan-david-juventus-attitude/

Juventus duo won’t recover in time for Champions League clash vs Pafos Juventus were hoping for a timely boost at the back ahead of their next Champions League fixture, but Gleison Bremer and Daniele Rugani remain out. Since his arrival at the club, Luciano Spalletti has been operating with a depleted backline. In recent weeks, he regained the services of Lloyd Kelly and Juan Cabal, but lost Federico Gatti to a meniscus injury. ............ The good news for Spalletti is that Bremer and Rugani have been making progress in training in recent days. The Brazilian suffered a setback after hurting his knee in late September, while the Italian veteran picked up a knock last month. But neither one will be available for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Pafos. The duo should instead return for the weekend trip to Bologna or the following Serie A showdown against Roma. ............ Therefore, Spalletti will have no other option but to confirm Teun Koopmeiners alongside Kelly and the ever-present Pierre Kalulu in the three-backline, unless he decides to drop the formation altogether and unleash a 4-3-3 system. ............ Juventus are facing another must-win Champions League contest, as they have only assembled six points from the first five matchdays of the group stage. On paper, the Old Lady should be able to sweep aside the Cypriot champions. And yet, the two sides are currently on par in points. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/bremer-rugani-juventus-pafos-champions-league/

Anche Tudor ha alzato un pó la voce lamentandosi e l'hanno fatto pure fuori. Chiellini da calciatore era un leone ora é diventato, diciamo cosí, un moderato. Ci ha famiglia il Chiello e deve continuare a lavorare .....

Prendiamola a ridere va. Sulla sostituzione di Yildiz da parte di Spalletti.

'He still loves Napoli': Spalletti’s decisions infuriated Juventus fans and led to inevitable defeat The main match of Serie A of Mtachday 14 between Napoli and Juventus. ............ But it wasn’t only the supporters of the Neapolitan giants who were angry. Juventus fans also criticised Spalletti for several decisions that, in their view, led to the inevitable defeat. Of course, very few appreciated the initial change of formation. Instead of Spalletti’s traditional 4-3-3, everyone saw a 3-5-2. Online, this was even compared to fear of Napoli. ............ Juventus only started playing once the system was switched back to the more familiar 4-3-3, which brought the equaliser to 1-1. The hero of the moment was Kenan Yildiz. ............ However, just a few minutes later the coach again pushed Juventus fans to tear him apart on social media – he took the Turkish youngster off and returned to the 3-5-2. ............ Nothing good came from it: the team lost balance, and the Dane converted another great chance and became the hero of the match. Juventus supporters didn’t even try to hide their emotions: “You could say he still ‘loves’ Napoli.” ............ . Read more -> https://tribuna.com/en/blogs/he-still-loves-napoli-spallettis-decisions-infuriated-juvent/

Marchisio ‘surprised’ but two Spalletti mistakes in Napoli vs Juventus Juventus legend Claudio Marchisio felt that Luciano Spalletti committed a couple of blunders in Sunday’s defeat to Napoli. After replacing Igor Tudor in late October, the 66-year-old found mild success in his first seven matches, registering four wins and three draws. But as fate would have it, his first defeat as a Juventus manager ensued on his return to the Stadio Maradona. ............ For his part, Marchisio felt that Juve’s limitations were exposed by their Southern rivals, while noting that Spalletti has little trust in Jonathan David, whom he initially kept on the bench in favour of fielding Yildiz as a false 9. “Napoli’s intensity exposed Juventus’ shortcomings,” argued the retired midfielder in his post-match appearance. “When Napoli raised the tempo, Juve couldn’t create anything. They only found opportunities to play when Napoli were a bit slow. “The feeling is that Spalletti doesn’t trust David, who also came on poorly.” ............ “I was also surprised by the decision to put Cabal in the starting lineup with Koopmeiners; he could have put McKennie or Cambiaso there, who could have given the Dutchman a greater boost with Neres. “All the dangerous chances came from that flank.” ............ Finally, Marchisio insisted that Yildiz’s substitution was rather premature. “I wouldn’t have taken Yildiz off the pitch. At most, I would have moved him to another role.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/marchisio-surprised-but-two-spalletti-mistakes-in-napoli-vs-juventus/

Newcastle United joins Juventus in the race for Hungarian star Juventus have been linked with a move for Ferencváros’ Alex Toth, yet their pursuit has become more complicated as Newcastle United have now emerged as rivals for his signature. The Bianconeri have monitored the midfielder for several months, impressed by his rise to prominence and his development into one of the finest players in his country. His performances in Europe and in the Hungarian top flight have attracted the attention of several major clubs, placing him firmly among the most sought-after young talents on the continent. ............ Juventus view Toth as an ideal midfield addition who could enhance the overall profile and balance of their squad. The Bianconeri believe that securing him would represent the acquisition of a high-quality player capable of contributing immediately while also offering long-term value. Despite their admiration, the club appear prepared to continue observing him closely and may not make a formal move until the end of the season. ............ Toth is now also being linked with a move to Newcastle United. The Magpies see him as an ideal fit for their evolving squad and view his age and potential as significant assets. At 20 years old, he brings the kind of energy and room for development that appeals to clubs looking to strengthen their long-term project. Juventus understand that winning the race for his signature will not be straightforward. Newcastle possesses considerable financial strength and is capable of submitting a highly competitive offer. ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/newcastle-united-joins-juventus-in-the-race-for-hungarian-star/

Spalletti explains Yildiz substitution: “I replaced him with Openda who cost €50m” Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti had several dubious decisions to explain following his team’s 1-2 defeat to Napoli, especially the Kenan Yildiz substitution. ............ Spalletti opted to start with Yildiz as a false 9, supported by Francisco Conceicao, but the manoeuvre didn’t work, so he brought in Jonathan David at the interval. After returning to his original role as a Number 10, the young Turk’s impact was immediately felt. But after the equaliser, Spalletti decided to hook him for Lois Openda, a decision that benefited Napoli rather than Juventus. ............ “I wanted them (Yildiz and Conceicao) to play between their three defenders, using an extra midfielder to manage the man-to-man pressing,” said Spalletti in his post-match press conference. ............ “Yildiz, as a central forward, always had an opponent behind him and wasn’t able to express himself at his best. We also weren’t good at putting him in the ideal conditions.” “Last week, you argued that I should rest Kenan. Openda came on in the 75th minute. He’s a player we paid €45-50 million to sign. “Yildiz isn’t injured, but he needs to do more; he can give us a lot more. He scored, but the team needs a bit more momentum, and he can do more, too.” ............ Spalletti was also asked about Teun Koopmeiners, who was once again fielded as a left centre-back, but struggled to cope with David Neres’ pace. “Yes, it was a forced choice. With three defenders out for months, there are no alternatives.” ............ . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/luciano-spalletti-kenan-yildiz-lois-openda-juventus-napoli/

Napoli 2 - Juventus 1: Initial reaction and random observations So much of the early days of the Luciano Spalletti era at Juventus has felt like one or two steps forward and then just as many steps back over the course of the next subsequent fixtures. They’ve done some good, but there’s been just as much frustration and equally poor themes that have continued over from the last couple of managers. That was the case once again on Sunday night in Naples. As much as it felt like Napoli could have been prime for the taking when Kenan Yildiz did his latest bit of brilliance to level things up 15 minutes into the second half, Juventus’ issues of bring able to take full advantage of their improved second half came to the fore. Juve weren’t able to a Napoli squad that looked to be wobbling a little bit, only to see Antoni Conte’s side go back ahead through Rasmus Højlund 12 minutes from time and go top of the table with a 2-1 win over Juventus, their fifth win over the Bianconeri in their last seven meetings. It was a brutal night for Luciano Spalletti, too, as he made his first appearance at the Maradona — and, surprisingly, first-ever managerial meeting against Conte — since leading Napoli to the Scudetto 2 1/2 years ago. And, after making some quite interesting lineup choices that most notably had Yildiz playing as a false 9 of sorts that resulted in a first-half performance to forget, it proved to be a return to Naples that resulted in Juve’s first loss under Spalletti since he became manager in late-October. The thing is, it’s going to actually be hard to forget what Juventus did in the first half. Especially when you consider that before Weston McKennie inadvertently headed the ball right into the path of Højlund on the go-ahead goal, things were actually improving. But when you have a first half that felt like it resulted in absolutely nothing and Napoli score almost immediately after Yildiz is subbed off, then it’s hard not to look at the manager and wonder what the heck he was thinking both before and during this big-time matchup against the reigning champions. ............ It’s all become very familiar. Just too familiar these last couple of years. In this game, though, it’s hard not to start with the two hinge points of the game: What Spalletti chose to do to begin the game. How this matchup was there for the taking when Yildiz tied things up in the 59th minute. When it comes to the second point, it might be hard to believe, but it’s true: Juventus were very much in it because they had just tied things up and were looking as good as they had all night. Napoli had fumbled away more than a couple of scoring chances and Michele Di Gregorio had made a couple of really good saves to keep the home side from adding another goal from their name, so it was really a case of feeling fortunate they were in the position they were to even have a chance of winning. And, you know, making Napoli pay for only putting away one of those scoring chances they had up until Yildiz’s brilliant game-tying goal. ............ It was not great — and a total mistake Spalletti to go the way he did with his starting lineup. Which, in a way, is completely ironic because you see how deep Yildiz dropped to start the movement that resulted in the game-tying goal and that’s probably what Spalletti thought might happen more often. Unfortunately, what Spalletti envisioned didn’t translate onto the field. It didn’t take long to figure that out, either. It all added up to another disappointing result on a matchday in which Juventus should have done more. Napoli left a door open and instead of going through it, Juve allowed the defending champions to slam it shut. This is the story of the last couple of years — and why Juve are sitting in seventh place in Serie A a couple of weeks before Christmas. RANDOM THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS Come for the starting lineups, get and stay for La Spallettata. Teams with a better record away from home than Juventus this season: Sassuolo, Cremonese, Udinese and Como. They have the 10th-best record away from home this season — that’s the definition of just completely mid. Juventus finished with five shots against Napoli. Juventus finished with two shots on goal against Napoli. Rasmus Højlund had more shots on goal himself (3) than Juventus did as a team (2). Napoli had nine shots and an xG of 1.59. Juventus had five shots and xG of 0.24. ............ We’ve officially moved into the “Kenan do something cool and save us” portion of the season. Juventus’ only shot in the opening 25 minutes was an off-balance long-distance shot from Yildiz that was nowhere near the goal. That’s not a good thing. Same thing goes for Juventus’ second and only other shot in the first half, this one from Francisco Conceição. That’s how much of a struggle it was over the course of the opening 45 minutes in the attacking third. Jonathan David touched the ball once in his first 15 minutes on the field. Yikes, man. Going to Loïs Openda before Edon Zhegrova was a choice and one that I didn’t agree with at all. You take off Yildiz, you bring on somebody like Zhegrova who can actually hurt a defense right now. Openda is not a very good option off the bench and that is not breaking news with how his season has gone. Also a choice: Going with four attacking players on the field in the closing minutes and none of them are named Yildiz. That’s not good. ............ Another pretty bad night for Juan Cabal since his return from injury. I’m starting to wonder if Juve have any options at fullback/wingback who are actually somewhat solid defensively. Because their current options who play there just ain’t getting it done. Well, at least McKennie’s assist to Yildiz was a good one. Teun Koopmeiners on Napoli’s opening goal … not great. Lloyd Kelly on Napoli’s opening goal after Koopmeiners got burned … not good. ............ Juventus were 0-for-8 on crosses. That’s always a good thing when Filip Kostic is on the field. A clear sign of how ineffective Juve were in the final third for a large portion of this game: No player in bianconero finished with more than one key pass against Napoli. ............ . Read more -> https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/previews-reviews/34484/napoli-juventus-2025-serie-a-matchday-14-final-score-result-initial-reaction-random-observations

No, lo sa. Glielo ha raccontato perlomeno Chiellini. Ma non c'é nessuna reazione. La Juventus é finita in un tunnel dal quale non si puó (o non si vuole) uscire. Tutto quello che ci fanno li lascia indefferenti. Un'apatia vera o c'é qualcos'altro dietro?

Locatelli: ‘Juventus are better than this’ after sliding to 7th place Manuel Locatelli insists Juventus ‘are better than this’ after the 2-1 defeat to Napoli left them languishing in seventh place. ‘We made mistakes we should not be making.’ The Bianconeri barely created any scoring opportunities at the Stadio Diego Maradona, as the Kenan Yildiz angled drive was their first shot on target. ............ That was only a temporary equaliser after the Rasmus Hojlund opener, and the Dane added a second nodding in the mistaken Weston McKennie knockdown. ............ “The coach had asked us to keep the ball and pass it around to create superiority in the midfield, but they pressed us well and we made mistakes that we should not be making,” Locatelli said. “We certainly need to do better than this.” ............ They are also now just three points clear of Sassuolo and Cremonese, still behind Como in seventh place. ............ “We are well aware of the position that we are in and that we must do better, because we are better than this,” added Locatelli. “We’ve got to pick up points, at the end of the day, words count for very little. It’s about results.” ............ “With the responsibility that a captain ought to have. I must try to set the example and explain why we lost today, even if what ultimately counts is what happens on the pitch.” . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/locatelli-juventus-better-than-this-7th-place/

Spalletti: ‘Juventus were passengers, Napoli made us chase them’ Luciano Spalletti admits Juventus were ‘passengers’ in the defeat to Napoli, but explains what went wrong with his audacious tactical decisions for the starting XI. This was Spalletti’s first defeat since taking the Juventus bench from Igor Tudor, ending his run of four wins and three draws. ............ “It’s true, Napoli pushed harder from the start, we were too timid moving the ball around, then lost it cheaply, so they made us run after them,” Spalletti said. “They are in good shape, so if you don’t keep the ball, they make you run all over the pitch with their strength and quality.” ............ The Bianconeri coach surprised everyone by dealing with the Dusan Vlahovic injury by leaving both Jonathan David and Lois Openda on the bench, starting Kenan Yildiz in a False 9 role. ............ “I feel Yildiz and Conceicao can do those roles, as they pass the ball around well. Locatelli sat a bit too deep and didn’t maintain the position I wanted in midfield, then the two forwards had little mobility and we kept getting bogged down in the middle. We didn’t pass it around quickly or make the numerical advantage count in midfield,” noted Spalletti. ............ “We did better in the second half, as we went man for man, but still suffered with the pace and quality of the Napoli counter-attack. So yes, we went man for man, but then they did well to create problems. “After the equaliser, we took control of the match, but again we were too obvious, too predictable, didn’t force through the situation as a team. We didn’t try to do something extra, so we clearly need some progress and quickly, otherwise it becomes difficult. “We’ve done some good things, but we have reached a stage where we need to analyse the situation.” ............ “We can do better than we did today, as we gifted an incredible number of passes. If you don’t control the game, you end up being the passenger for the others making decisions for you.” ............ “Napoli block to create space and we kept falling for it every time. We needed more communication, we made it also a bit easy for them to put the crosses in, these are all decisions that are made in the moment.” ............ “Of course, when the fans sing these songs that I know off by heart, it is spectacular, an atmosphere that only the Stadio Maradona can provide.” . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/spalletti-juventus-passengers-napoli-chase/

Napoli 2-1 Juventus: Spalletti suffers first defeat on his Maradona return Juventus will return to Turin empty-handed as Luciano Spalletti failed to beat Napoli on his return to the Stadio Maradona. The Juventus manager opted to field Kenan Yildiz as a false 9, supported by Francisco Conceicao and Weston McKennie, leaving Jonathan David and Lois Openda on the bench. Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram linked up in midfield, while Andrea Cambiaso and Juan Cabal operated on the flanks. ............ Napoli were the far better side from the get-go, firing an early warning through McTominay, whose header whistled past the post. The home side then took a deserved lead in the sixth minute, when Neres skipped past Teun Koopmeiners before feeding Hojlund at the mouth of the goal. The Dane evaded Lloyd Kelly to poach it home. ............ As the minutes progressed, it became agonisingly obvious that Conte had the upper hand in the tactical battle, as Spalletti’s men were struggling to build from the back, while the long-ball option was equally sterile, especially in the absence of a battering ram upfront. ............ After the break, Napoli kept pushing for the second, but it was Juventus who forked out an equaliser almost out of nowhere with their first real chance of the game. A sublime team play culminated with McKennie providing the assist for Yildiz, whose precise shot found the bottom corner from an acute angle, leaving Sinisa Milinkovic-Savic. However, the Bianconeri allowed their hosts to retake the lead with a gift of a goal. Neres tried to find Lang with a cross to the back post. McKennie was able to beat the Dutch winger to be ball, but his woeful ‘clearance’ caused more damage than good, as it allowed Hojlund to nod the ball home from close range. Juve’s reaction was almost non-existent, especially since Yildiz and Conceicao were already hooked. Edon Zhegrova had an inviting opportunity in the final minute, but it was too central to trouble the goalkeeper. The Bianconeri remain seventh in the standings, but they’re drifting alarmingly away from the Top Four spots. Napoli 2-1 Juventus Goals: 7′, 77′ Hojlund (N), 58′ Yildiz (J) Napoli (3-4-3) : Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Di Lorenzo, McTominay, Elmas, Olivera (69′ Spinazzola); Neres (79′ Politano), Hojlund, Lang (85′ Vergara). Juventus (3-5-2): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Kelly, Koopmeiners; Cambiaso (71′ Kostic), McKennie, Thuram (81′ Zhegrova), Locatelli, Cabal (46′ David); Conceicao (74′ Miretti), Yildiz (74′ Openda). Yellow cards: Buongiorno 33′ (N), Kalulu 52′ (J), Beukema 70′ (N). . Read more -> https://www.juvefc.com/napoli-2-1-juventus-spalletti-suffers-first-defeat-on-his-maradona-return/

Serie A | Napoli 2-1 Juventus | Player Ratings – Hojlund dominates shaky Juve defence Napoli defeated Juventus 2-1 in Naples this evening as Antonio Conte’s side kept the Bianconeri very quiet to serve Luciano Spalletti his first defeat as head coach. ............ Napoli 2-1 Juventus – Player Ratings – Hojlund takes the cake Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic 5.5; Beukema 6, Rrahmani 6.5, Buongiorno 6; Di Lorenzo 6, Elmas 6, McTominay 6.5, Olivera 6 (Spinazzola 6), Neres 7.5 (Politano N/A), Hojlund 8, Lang 6 (Vergara N/A) Best Napoli player: Rasmus Hojlund – ............ Lowest Napoli rating: Vanja Milinković-Savić – ............ Coach: Antonio Conte 7 – ............ Juventus: Di Gregorio 5.5; Kalulu 5.5, Kelly 5, Koopmeiners 5.5; Cabal 5 (David 6), Locatelli 6, Thuram 6 (Zhegrova N/A), Cambiaso 5.5 (Kostic 5.5); Conceicao 5.5 (Miretti 6), McKennie 5.5; Yildiz 7 (Openda 6) Best Juventus player: Kenan Yildiz – Did well for his goal, making a good run and then poking it past Milinkovic-Savic. Looked a bit lost at times when he started the game at centre-forward but settled more after David was brought on. Lowest Juventus rating: Juan Cabal – Could’ve been Kelly, could’ve been Kalulu or McKennie for their disastrous defending in Napoli’s second – but the Colombian wing-back was really poor before being taken off at half-time. Coach: Luciano Spalletti 5.5 – At the end of the day was simply outmatched by Conte, with Spalletti’s Juventus unable to truly work their way into the game. The counter-attack for the goal was a nice dynamic player-led moment and the coach’s tactics had little positives to offer – other than what would’ve been a clever point if Hojlund had not scored his late winner. . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/napoli-1-0-juventus-player-ratings-hojlund/

Serie A | Napoli 2-1 Juventus: Hero Hojlund ruins Spalletti return A brace from Rasmus Hojlund allowed Napoli to beat Juventus 2-1 and inflict the first defeat for their former boss Luciano Spalletti, despite the Kenan Yildiz temporary equaliser. This was the first time Luciano Spalletti had visited the Stadio Maradona since winning the Scudetto in 2023, but also the first time ever he had faced Antonio Conte. ............ Neres got away from Juan Cabal again and beyond Teun Koopmeiners to pull back from the by-line, where Rasmus Hojlund got there in front of Lloyd Kelly to toe-poke in from six yards across Michele Di Gregorio. It was his first goal in two months. ............ Kenan Yildiz twice got down the left to pull back, once with Francisco Conceicao blasting off target, then McTominay got back for the crucial interception as McKennie was ready to tap in from six yards. ............ With an xG of just 0.04 in the first half, Spalletti introduced striker Jonathan David for the struggling Juan Cabal. ............ McTominay’s free kick was drilled inches wide, but it was Juventus who equalised with their first real chance of the game. Kenan Yildiz went on the counter and completed a give and go with McKennie down the right, sweeping a snooker shot across Vanja Milinkovic-Savic into the far bottom corner from a tricky angle. It was the first shot on target from the Old Lady. ............ However, Napoli restored their advantage when McKennie tried to clear a Neres cross at the back post, but instead accidentally knocked it down as an assist for Hojlund to nod in from four yards. ............ Spalletti had been unbeaten since taking the Juventus job, overseeing four wins and three draws in all competition, but his return to the Stadio Maradona was a painful one, as Edon Zhegrova’s finish in stoppages was straight at Milinkovic-Savic. . Read more -> https://football-italia.net/serie-a-napoli-2-1-juventus-hojlund-spalletti/